The news that Glasgow has secured its first direct flights to the United States in six years is a real boost for our city and economy.

Taking off next May, the United Airlines flights to New York reconnect us with one of the world’s truly great cities and it was no surprise to see Glasgow Airport’s new owners mention that it is the most requested destination by passengers.

Newark Liberty International Airport is not only a short cab ride from the heart of Manhattan, it’s also the largest aviation hub on the US East Coast hub, connecting with destinations across America. I’m sure that access and connectivity will be much welcomed by Scots travellers.

But it’s the inbound flights that have the potential to have an even bigger impact for Glasgow and Glaswegians.

The US is already Glasgow’s largest international visitor market, with Americans spending around 720,000 bed nights and £111m in our city every year.

We now have the opportunity to build on that, tapping into a US market keen to reconnect with its Scottish roots or to find out for themselves why Glasgow is........

© Evening Times