Edinburgh Airport officials have landed a new route to Norway which could see an additional 45,000 passengers pass through its doors every year.

Ryanair has unveiled plans to fly the new route to Haugesund and also up the number of flights to Bremen in Germany.

It means the budget airline will now be flying 29 routes from the city, up from just seven a year ago.

Airport managing director Gordon Dewar said: "It is a huge vote of confidence in the Edinburgh market."

Haugesund is on the west coast of Norway and is popular for its skiing, international film and jazz festivals and a separate Viking festival held each year.

The new route will fly twice a week from July.

Photograph: A Ryanair Boeing 737 jet on final approach at Spain's Malaga airport on June 17, 2008. Photo by CARNOC.com message board member.