United Airlines (www.hub.united.com) is set to launch the first-ever direct flights between Scotland and Washington DC next summer — from Edinburgh Airport.

The service will begin on 23 May, with daily flights between the two capitals; United will also continue to operate its year-round flights to Newark (near New York), as well as extending its summer service to Chicago.

Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, described the new service as “fantastic news” for the airport, which reported a record-breaking number of passengers in August.