Commenting on the economic impact study carried out in conjunction with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Bob Macleod, Managing Director of HIAL, said the latest no frills route from Inverness was an important development for the region.

The latest no frills air service from the Highlands has already proved a success with more than 1,000 passengers travelling on easyJet’s Inverness to Gatwick flight in its first week of operation at the start of February.

The route, which complements the airline’s well established Inverness to Luton operation, was launched at the beginning of February with fares from £12.50 one way and is expected to carry more than 100,000 passengers in its first year – expanding opportunities for business and leisure travellers in the region and providing a significant boost to inbound tourism.

"When easyJet’s new route was announced in December it received a warm welcome in the Highlands as it offers low cost fares to Gatwick and onward travel opportunities with easyJet and other airlines operating out of that air hub," said Mr Macleod.

"There is no doubt that no frills carriers bring economic advantages to the areas they operate in and we have already experienced this through easyJet’s successful Inverness to Luton service that was launched in 1996. In conjunction with Highlands and Islands Enterprise we commissioned an economic impact study based on the Inverness to Luton route which has proved the importance of the link in terms of tourism spend, job creation and opening up air travel to new customers both to and from the area. This report will certainly assist the business case for the expansion of no frills air services in the Highlands and Islands and we will continue to talk to operating in this sector to encourage further route expansion and development."

HIAL continues to work on new route development as a priority, working with stakeholders such as Highlands and Islands Enterprise and a wide range of airlines. The launch of the Scottish Executive’s Route Development Fund will see an additional £1.2 million available to HIAL over the next three years to encourage cross border and non domestic air services and HIE has provided an extra £300,000 towards this work.

Alex Johnson, Commercial and Marketing Manager with HIAL said: "The new easyJet route reflects a strong and successful working relationship between HIAL as an airport operator and Europe’s leading no frills airline and is yet further evidence of our commitment to market ourselves and facilitate the start up of new routes, including no frills services to improve accessibility and promote a vibrant economy in the Highlands and Islands. We are in regular contact with airlines on a range of potential new air services and remain confident that 2003 will see a further expansion of choice for air travellers in the region."

ENDS