FOLK flying off to Amsterdam from Dundee next month could be allowed to have a morning tipple at the airport — after catering chiefs launched a bid to extend their licence.
Fresh-Jet, which runs the catering operation at Dundee Airport, is planning to apply to sell alcohol earlier in the morning to benefit those using the new route to the Dutch capital.
Currently the firm — run by John Hume, 50 — can sell booze between 11am and 11pm.
However, with the Amsterdam flights set to start on May 23 — with the first plane leaving just after noon — the company wants to be able to offer refreshments to travellers earlier in the day.
Mr Hume says the move would bring Dundee Airport into line with other transport hubs.
It plans to submit an application to the city council in the near future.
Mr Hume said: “We are obviously looking to take the sensible approach with this and offer passengers the same facilities they can receive in any other airport. The airport will be under 24-hour security and we have the same legislation as Heathrow, so we think it is a positive move for the patrons at the airport.
“We have posted a note of our intent within the airport and I’m hoping we will have no objections to our proposal.”
Fresh-Jet says it’s faced a number of challenges in recent years after the withdrawal of several flight routes in and out of Dundee.
But Mr Hume says the hub is set for a positive future.
He said: “We’ve had our difficulties operating the facility over recent years with the CityJet flights toLondon being withdrawn and Flybe with-drawing the two flights to Birmingham and one flight to Belfast but we’ve remained positive.
“Things have been picking up significantly with private flights coming in to access St Andrews and we are over the moon with the airport securing the flights to Amsterdam.
“With the regeneration of the Waterfront ongoing as well, we think Dundee is taking incredible steps to bettering the city.”
A spokesman for Highlands and Islands Airports, which operates Dundee, said: “Fresh-Jet, the concession operator of the cafe, has applied for this change, rather than the airport. This is in line with other airports and is simply to cater for leisure passengers who may want a refreshment before going on their flight.”