Shetland’s new direct air link with London received a major boost today – three months before flights start – with its timetable being extended.

Atlantic Airways, the Faroe Islands-based airline, announced an eight-week extension to services that will now run until the end of October.

Atlantic first announced the twice-weekly summer link last November, adding that it hoped to build the new route to a year-round service. The service is being supported by the Scottish Executive’s Route Development Fund.

With the first flight from Shetland’s Sumburgh Airport in June, Atlantic has taken an early first step towards that eventual goal.

The airline’s decision has been welcomed by tourism and airport chiefs in Shetland, who have been working with the airline to help ensure the route’s success.

Kent Christensen, the airline’s Sales & Marketing Director, said: “We have been greatly encouraged by the volume of forward bookings on the new route, even though our launch date is still three months off.

“Our original intention was to test the market in the peak summer season, but we now have sufficient confidence to extend operations through the whole of October to begin to assess the potential for business traffic.

“We are delighted by the can-do attitude we have experienced with our colleagues in Shetland and will continue to work with all our partners towards the eventual aim of a year-round service.”

Services start from Friday June 23 and will now run twice weekly until Monday October 30. The service was originally scheduled to end on September 4.

Flights will operate on Mondays and Fridays, giving a non-stop link from London Stansted to Sumburgh (Shetland) – as well as twice weekly services between Shetland and its North Atlantic neighbour, the Faroe Islands. The flight time will be one hour 40 minutes and fares will start at £156. Flight information and booking via the www.flyshetland.com website.

Atlantic Airways is the Faroe Islands’ national carrier and its all-jet fleet links the islands with neighbouring countries, including, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Scotland. It also operates on behalf of other carriers to Greenland, as well as flying charter contracts throughout northern and central Europe.

The new routes from Shetland open up exciting tourism opportunities for the UK’s most northerly territories – previously visitors to Shetland have faced complex and expensive journeys by air, or a long ferry crossing.

Andy Steven, VisitShetland’s Director of Tourism, said: “By making our islands and famous hospitality easily accessible from London it is obvious that Atlantic’s commitment to extending the period provides a significant boost to our tourism industry.  A weekend break to Britain’s most northerly islands is now a reality.”

Nigel Flaws, Sumburgh Airport manager at Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, said: “This is fantastic news and demonstrates the great effort being put into making this new air link really work for Shetland. Our stakeholders recognise that the route offers huge benefits for islanders and tourists alike and we are all committed to working with Atlantic Airways to make it a success.”

The new route will also prove a boon to Shetland’s oil industry, with industry personnel currently travelling on non-direct flights and special charters.

Passengers from London will also have the opportunity to travel onward to the Faroe Islands after a short stop at Shetland. An additional, direct service, from London to the Faroe Islands, may also operate in the summer.