easyJet launches only direct flight between Edinburgh and Funchal, Portugal

Over 30,000 passengers are expected to use the new service during the first 12 months. The flight, which operates year round twice per week on Tuesday and Saturday in winter and on Wednesday’s and Saturday’s in summer on an Airbus A320, is the only direct service between the two destinations. Fares start from £43.99 one way per person.

Ali Gayward, easyJet’s Head of Scotland, said:

"We are really excited to have launched Scotland’s only direct connections from Edinburgh to Funchal today. It is a particularly exciting addition to our base at Edinburgh and we are confident it will provide a popular addition to easyJet’s network especially as a winter sun destination.

“In total easyJet now serves 33 destinations from Edinburgh spanning the UK, Europe and Iceland and this new route will complement our existing network of leisure and business flights.”

John Watson, Chief Commercial Officer at Edinburgh Airport, said:

“easyJet are our biggest airline and we’re pleased to be launching this brand new service to Funchal in Madeira which adds to our ever-growing European route network.

“We pride ourselves on offering our passengers the very best choice of destinations and services.  We’re sure this new route will prove to be a popular choice for Scots looking to escape the cold weather and head for some winter sunshine.”

About Funchal: Funchal is a brilliant place for a summer holiday and there are many festivals throughout the spring and summer months. All of them are worth visiting, but three that stand out are the Carnival, the Flower festival and the Madeira wine festival, all held in Funchal. The Carnival and the Flower festival both involve large processions through the city and street parties late into the night, the latter also being a celebration of flowers, both native to Madeira and flown in from all over the world. The flower and wine festivals may only last a short time, but all year round Madeira produces its own unique tipple and boasts some remarkable flower gardens, easily accessible via scenic bus routes.

The countryside around Funchal is a mixture of the picturesque and the awe-inspiring. A walking tour of the levadas, a network of ancient canals dug centuries ago to carry water from one side of the island to the other is one of the top recommendations when in the region. Carved into the stone of the mountains, these canals provide an interesting sight and a very fun way to spend the day.