A Canadian airline has launched a direct flight from Scotland to Quebec for the first time.

Air Transat launches Scotland's newest route this bank holiday weekend with a service from Glasgow Airport to Pierre Trudeau Airport in Montreal.

The new weekly flight takes off on Monday and runs until October 2. Return economy class fares from Glasgow to Montreal start from £300 per person.

Air Transat is offering a choice of three routes from Glasgow this summer. In addition to the new service to Montreal, Scottish passengers have a choice of five weekly flights from Glasgow to Toronto, along with a weekly direct service to Vancouver.

Further connections in Canada are on offer to Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary through Air Transat's connecting flights programme via Toronto and Vancouver, providing more flexibility on holiday durations.

Lesley Kane, Air Transat's UK and Ireland sales director, said: "This is an exciting link for Air Transat as we establish the first ever air link between Scotland and Quebec.

"Montreal is home to Air Transat and to connect directly to our founding city is an excellent opportunity for developing new leisure tourism opportunities.

"Scotland and Quebec have deep historic links. Indeed, the first British governor of Quebec was a Scot, James Murray, and McGill University was founded from the estate of James McGill - a merchant and politician who emigrated from Glasgow."

Francois Bourienne, commercial director at Glasgow Airport, said: "The addition of Montreal to Glasgow Airport's line-up of Canadian destinations reaffirms the airport as Scotland's leading long haul gateway.

"We are especially proud that this is the first time Scotland will have had a direct link to Canada's second largest city - Montreal."

Transport minister Humza Yousaf, said: "I'm delighted to see this exciting new service between Glasgow and Montreal take off, helping to strengthen the important cultural and historic bonds between Scotland and Canada.

"It will help Scottish businesses by improving their access to international markets and it will also boost our tourism industry by making it even easier for travellers from Canada to get a taste of the fantastic visitor experiences on offer in Scotland.

"I wish Glasgow Airport and Air Transat every success with this new service."

For information and reservations, call 00 800 872 672 83 or visit www.airtransat.co.uk