BA resumes flights from Heathrow to Inverness for first time in 20 YEARS (and the move is expected to generate £8million a year in tourism)

• The daily service between the two airports resumed on Tuesday
• Move been hailed as a boost to the area's economy and tourism industry
• Customers can now fly directly into the heart of the Scottish Highlands 

By John Hutchinson for MailOnline

Published: 11:26 EST, 3 May 2016 | Updated: 11:26 EST, 3 May 2016

British Airways flights between Inverness and Heathrow are operating for the first time in almost 20 years.

The daily service between the two airports resumed today (Tuesday) after BA ended the service in 1997.

The move is expected to give a boost to the area's economy and tourism industry.

British Airways flights between Inverness and Heathrow are operating for the first time in almost 20 years

BA sales manager Keith Chuter said: 'We appreciate that the local business community has lobbied long and hard for British Airways to resume services to Inverness as an important element in boosting the economy of the city and the region as a whole.

'The arrival this morning of BA1468 from Heathrow marks an important day for everyone involved.

'I know that the business community and the people in the region are delighted that British Airways has returned to Inverness. So are we.'

Beautiful sights in Inverness, such as castles, will now only be a plane flight away from Heathrow

THE HIGHLANDS OPENS TO THE GLOBAL MARKET

Stewart Nicol, Chief Executive, Inverness Chamber of Commerce said:

'This is a very significant development for the Highland business community in terms of increasing the connectivity between Inverness, London and the South-East of the UK. 

'This will make it much easier for Highland businesses to connect to markets across the world. It is also a significant endorsement of all that Heathrow have done to secure the UK's leading airline, and one of the world's most iconic commercial airline brands, back to the city of Inverness. 

'In addition to making it easier for Highland businesses to access global destinations from Heathrow, this route makes it much easier for tourists from across the world to get to Inverness.'

Following a 20 years absence, the route has been reintroduced to support businesses in the region, explained a spokesperson for BA.

He said: 'We constantly look at opportunities to extend our network, both domestically and internationally and will introduce services that we think will be of benefit to our business as a whole and to the travelling public.

'We know that the business community, national and local politicians and the people of Inverness have wanted us to reintroduce flights between Inverness and Heathrow and we think the time is right for us to resume the service.

'We have worked closely with the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, Inverness Airport, Transport Scotland and Visit Scotland to make this possible and we are confident that, with the continued support of all involved, including the business community and travelling public of Inverness and its environs, the route can be a success.' 

The new route has been welcomed by the national tourism body and by the business community in Inverness and the surrounding area.

Malcolm Roughead, chief executive at VisitScotland, said: 'This new route tees up a fantastic opportunity for visitors from London and the South East - an important target market - to fly directly into the heart of the Highlands where they can explore the stunning landscapes of the North Coast 500, test their swing at one of the many world-class golf courses, such as Scottish Open hosts, Castle Stuart, and sample the spirit of Scotland on a whisky trail.'

New economic analysis released today reveals that the Inverness route will have a significant positive impact on the Inverness economy with benefits for regional industries such as life sciences, food and drink and tourism.

With over 100,000 seats will be available on the route annually, the research found that for inbound tourism alone, the link will could generate up to £8m a year in additional growth.

Whisky and salmon are the biggest contributors to the value of Scotland's international exports of food and drink and are key sectors in the area around Inverness and the Highlands. With over two-third of these companies in the region actively exporting, the route will make it more efficient and cost-effective for them to sell their products in new markets around the world.

Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye added: 'The Inverness-Heathrow route offers so much potential for the businesses and people of the north west of Scotland who for too long have been let down by the indecision on airport expansion. 

'Today is a momentous day – Inverness joins Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle with a route into Heathrow and access to markets from Manila to Mexico City, from Chicago to Chengdu, from Hanoi to Houston. 

'It means more growth and a more secure economic future for the Highlands and I'm delighted that we're able to be a part of that future success.'

 

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