bmi, the UK’s second largest scheduled carrier, is welcomed today to Inverness as the airline begins its first ever direct daily services to London Heathrow.

This is the first time ever that the airline has offered the service and re-establishes a link that has been absent for seven years. On the new, once-daily, bmi jet service, economy web fares start at just £30 one-way including taxes and charges and can be booked at www.flybmi.com.

Passengers can choose between a full business or economy class service into the UK’s key hub airport at Heathrow. The conveniently timed schedule offers not only excellent links to London, but onwards to a wide range of seamless worldwide connection possibilities via our Star Alliance partners.

The new Inverness-Heathrow route, plus new Aberdeen-Heathrow services, also beginning today, doubles the number of direct bmi routes from Scotland to Heathrow, complementing the airline’s well-established services from Edinburgh and Glasgow. bmi now offers 150 departures a week from Scotland’s four key cities to Heathrow. 

Fiona Henderson, bmi regional sales manager for Scotland: “I am delighted that bmi are now servicing the Inverness to Heathrow route, giving us a very strong presence in the north of Scotland. This route complements our extensive Scottish network and of course opens up many more global opportunities through our Star Alliance partners.

“Positive feedback and excellent early booking levels indicate that this new addition to our route portfolio will be a success,” she said.

More than 80 passengers arrived on the first bmi flight from Heathrow to Inverness today (Sunday 28 March ).

The first arrivals from London flew on bmi’s newest Airbus A317 aircraft and were met in suitable Highland style, courtesy of bagpiper Callum ‘Spud’ Fraser - the piper who greeted Madonna when she flew into Inverness for her wedding to Guy Ritchie at Skibo Castle.

Inverness Airport Manager James Walton said: “This is a significant day for Inverness as bmi starts its Heathrow service. For a regional airport to regain a link to the UK’s busiest airport is a considerable achievement and passengers will have access to a huge number of onward connections from Heathrow.

“Inverness now has air links with Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports and the arrival of bmi gives travellers even more choice than before. With more than 80 passengers travelling on the first flight into Inverness I have no doubt that this will be a very well supported service,” said Mr Walton.

Simon Cole-Hamilton, Chief Executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce said: "We are delighted to see links re-established with Heathrow.  This service is another boost for the Highlands and will be extremely useful for inter-lining"

MP David Stewart, who represents Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, said he celebrated the revived link to Heathrow.

“I regretted losing the link back in 1997 and have continued to campaign for its reestablishment - it’s a long time coming but very welcome all the same! This shows a strong market for services linking to London and I wish bmi every success for the future. The challenge now is retain all full service operators to the London hubs,” he said.

Stuart Black, Chief Executive of Inverness and Nairn Enterprise said: “After a long campaign, it is fantastic to have an air route between Inverness and Heathrow again. As the most important point of access for overseas visitors flying to the UK, in particular from America, having a link with Heathrow is hugely important for Inverness and the Highlands.”

Councillor Charlie King, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee said: “The Highland Council very much welcomes this new flight which will add to the attractiveness of the Highlands as a business and holiday destination. We wish it every success and hope to see further growth in future.”

Scott Armstrong, head of Marketing, Research & Development at The Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board said: “We are delighted to see the re-introduction of flights between Inverness and Heathrow. Heathrow receives more international visitors than any other airport in the UK. The ability for these visitors to then be able to continue their journey to the Highlands without the need to travel to another airport makes the Highlands that bit more accessible and will undoubtedly be a boost to Highlands tourism.”

Booking now on 0870 607 0555 or online at www.flybmi.com

ENDS