AIR links between Scotland and Europe are to be strengthened with four new direct flights from Edinburgh to Oslo, Geneva, Zurich and Milan.

The Scottish executive is expected to announce on Tuesday that Duo, a franchise of BA, will operate the routes.

The airline has received cash from a £6m development fund set up earlier this year by Jack McConnell, the first minister, to develop routes. The fund aims to reduce landing charges and help cut aircraft turnaround times at airports.

Landing charges in Scotland are 20% higher than those in London. Business leaders and opposition politicians have complained that the lack of direct air links has stifled the Scottish economy and tourism.

Duo, which was created in February when Maersk Air sold its UK operation, will start the flights in October. Duo currently flies from Birmingham to 14 European destinations.

The airline is the fourth to benefit from the development fund. Before the Scottish election in May, British Midland announced flights from Edinburgh to Jersey, Germanwings launched the Edinburgh to Cologne route and Ryanair started routes to Stockholm and Barcelona.

Kenny MacAskill, the SNP transport spokesman, welcomed the new routes.

“We fully support this and want to see far more expansion in flights from Scotland,” he said. “But there is still a great deal to be done, not only in encouraging more low-cost airlines but in addressing the fact that Scottish airports are too expensive.”

A spokesperson for the executive said: “Discussions are ongoing with a number of airlines and operators and an announcement is due to be made next week, including an update on the benefits of the development fund.”

A spokesman for Duo said: “Duo currently operates out of Birmingham as a franchise for BA. There will be an announcement on Tuesday about a second airport.”

A spokesman for BAA Scotland, which owns Scotland’s three biggest airports including Edinburgh Airport, said: “We are delighted about this and are looking forward to getting details about the announcement on Tuesday.”

Last year BAA set up a £60m fund to try to lure more airlines to Scotland.

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