This is a major win for the Scottish airport, with the US airline returning after an absence stretching back to 2019, writes Business Editor Ian McConnell.

The celebratory tones are entirely understandable, given the importance of these flights.

There was much celebration last week when it was announced that United Airlines is to return to Glasgow Airport in 2026 to reinstate direct flights between there and its New York hub, Newark Liberty International Airport.

This will be the first time United will have operated at Glasgow Airport since 2019.

Kam Jandu, chief executive of Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports owner AGS Airports, has made no bones about the importance of winning direct flights to North America since taking up his post in late January.

North America was also a priority for Andy Cliffe, who was succeeded by Mr Jandu immediately after AviAlliance completed its acquisition of AGS from Macquarie of Australia and Ferrovial of Spain for an enterprise value of £1.53 billion. Mr Jandu ran Budapest Airport when AviAlliance, the airports platform of one of Canada’s largest pension investors, PSP Investments, was in the cockpit there.

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stuart Patrick has for his part consistently emphasised the importance of direct flights to the US returning to Glasgow Airport.

It was not that long ago that Glasgow Airport had significant numbers of flights to US cities.........

© Herald Scotland