Daily flights between Edinburgh and Dubai will begin in October, after Emirates airline announced a new service.

The year-round service will begin on October 1, departing Edinburgh Airport at 8.15pm and arriving at 6.40am.

The return leg will see the Boeing-777 aircraft land in Edinburgh at 2.50pm.

Emirates already runs double daily flights to between Dubai and Glasgow.

Edinburgh Airport said the flights will strengthen Scotland's links with the Middle East.

Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport said: "This is a fantastic announcement as we welcome another world-renowned airline to Scotland's busiest airport - a clear statement that Edinburgh Airport is the gateway to Scotland.

"The route enhances our connectivity to the Middle East and further afield as we access that long-haul network, giving us greater access and choice than ever before.

"It also back fills the departure of Etihad even before that service ceases.

"The service caters for leisure and business passengers, providing daily links for international tourism and trade opportunities both inbound and outbound, and will help our growth and international standing as a world class hub."

Transport minister Humza Yousaf also welcomed the news.

He said: "It will give Scottish businesses even better access to global markets, thanks to the number of onward destinations on offer from Dubai.

"It also means that the rising number of tourists looking to visit Scotland will have even more options when it comes to experiencing our world famous hospitality."

Hubert Frach, Emirates' divisional senior vice president, said: "We're increasing our capacity to Scotland to meet growing demand, and by introducing a daily flight to Edinburgh, it will complement our current double daily flights between Dubai and Glasgow.

"Edinburgh is a very popular leisure and business destination, and the new service will offer our customers from across our global network, particularly from key inbound markets such as Asia and Australia, a direct option to the city via our Dubai hub."