FLYBE ANNOUNCES ANOTHER NEW ROUTE FOR INVERNESS WITH EXPANDED WINTER SCHEDULE

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, has confirmed its commitment to the Highlands and Islands this winter with the announcement today (12th June 2014) of a brand new daily service from Inverness to Dublin. The new route starts on 26th October with one way fares from £29.99 (including taxes and charges). The airline has also confirmed extra flights on its popular Birmingham and Belfast City routes (increasing to six times a week), and to Manchester (to three flights a day). This news follows its announcement last month of a new twice daily service to London City which also starts on the same day.

Fred Kochak, Flybe UK Routes’ Director, said: “We are committed to providing the best possible connectivity to and from the Highlands and Islands. Today’s announcement means that the Highlands and Islands will have regular, direct access to three European capitals of Amsterdam, Dublin and London, as well as high frequency to Manchester, a growing regional and intercontinental hub in its own right. Flybe is an airline based in the regions and it understands how important these kinds of services are to underpin a flourishing business and leisure environment.”

In welcoming Flybe’s news, saying “it illustrates the confidence that more and more businesses have in the Highlands”, Danny Alexander, Highland MP and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, added: “This announcement is a very welcome addition to the rapidly expanding operations at Inverness airport that has huge potential as an economic hub. That is part of the reason why business investment in the Highlands is going from strength to strength. Developing the right transport infrastructure, to meet demand now and in the future, is essential.”

This view was reflected by Keith Brown, Scottish Transport and Veterans Minister, who said: “By improving connectivity to the Highlands, this is a big boost for local companies looking to do business further afield, and also makes it even more attractive for visitors to come and enjoy the fantastic tourist experience on offer in the North of Scotland.

“Dublin is an important transatlantic hub, and Birmingham also offers a wide range of connecting destinations to the US and Europe. We want to see further growth at Inverness Airport in the future and will continue to support Highland and Islands Airports Limited’s efforts to make this happen.”

Inglis Lyon, Managing Director of Inverness Airport operator HIAL, further comments that, following the announcement of the London City service, the airport has been working with Flybe to expand further.

“It shows real confidence from Flybe in Inverness airport. In growing our international connections, hub airport connectivity is vital and HIAL is making the case for improved connectivity to hub airports such as Manchester, Dublin and Amsterdam and the onward connections they offer with Flybe’s codeshare partners, Etihad Airways, Air France and KLM.”

Flybe’s 2014-15 Winter Schedule from Inverness features a total of seven routes with a choice of up to 116 flights a week, strengthening further the airline’s customer proposition to be ‘The fastest way from A to Flybe’, ‘faster than rail and road’.

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