The first passengers to arrive at Inverness Airport on the inaugural snowflake flight from Stockholm were greeted with a true taste of the Highlands today (Monday 29 March).  snowflake is SAS Scandinavian Airlines’ low cost carrier.

The flight from Arlanda Airport arrived at Inverness just after 10am and was met by bagpiper Calum ‘Spud’ Fraser, who shot to fame after piping for pop star Madonna when she arrived in Inverness for her wedding at Skibo Castle.

The passengers from Sweden also received a welcome pack containing Walkers Shortbread, Talisman whisky from Tomatin Distillery, Made in Scotland chocolate, a Nessie toy from Loch Ness 2000 and an Inverness, Loch Ness and Nairn Local Visitor Guide.  Departing passengers to Stockholm were given Swedish chocolates by the airline.

The airline is operating return flights on Mondays and Fridays with one-way fares starting at £46 including taxes and fees.  Flights will be operated with Boeing 737-800 and MD-80 aircraft. 

snowflake is only a year old but it has already gained a reputation for its efficient service both on the ground and in the air.   It is designed to meet the demands of today’s leisure travellers and offers good quality at affordable fares.  snowflake has an extensive route network and flies to 23 destinations from Stockholm and Copenhagen.  15 new routes are opening this week. 

Speaking at Inverness Airport, Martin Tiveus, snowflake’s Director of Marketing and Business Development, said: “Inverness is snowflake’s first service to the United Kingdom and we are thrilled to be linking these two important cities.  We are a young and premium low-cost airline and look forward to inviting passengers on board for a taste of Scandinavia.”

James Walton, Inverness Airport Manager said: “We are delighted to see so many passengers from Sweden arriving on the first flight and trust that they will return home having enjoyed the many attractions the Highlands have to offer.  The snowflake service is a significant development for the airport and the region and we believe that it will prove attractive to both leisure and business travellers in Scotland and Sweden.”

The service is also benefiting from a major marketing campaign funded by Inverness and Nairn Enterprise, HOST, VisitScotland, The Highland Council, and HIAL.  In conjunction with snowflake, the marketing drive aims to encourage as many travellers as possible from Scandinavia and Scotland to take advantage of the new flights over the coming months.

Alex Johnson, Commercial and Marketing Manager at Highlands and Islands Airports said: “This is a good day for the region and we are delighted to have been able to work with snowflake to bring this service to Inverness.

“We believe this route will provide a major boost for tourism in the region and fits well with the expanding range of full service and no-frills flight options from Inverness.  Support from the Scottish Executive’s Route Development Fund is again enabling us to expand the range of services available to travellers in the Highlands,” said Mr Johnson.

Stuart Black, Chief Executive of Inverness and Nairn Enterprise said: "We are delighted snowflake has chosen to fly to Inverness. It is excellent to have an international route to the area and we look forward to the visitors and business it will bring."

Scott Armstrong, head of Marketing, Research & Development at The Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board said: “The Swedish holiday market is an affluent one which offers a lot of potential to the Highlands as there is considerable interest in Sweden in golf, whisky, castles and car touring, all of which are readily available in the Highlands.

“A lot of work has gone into securing the new direct flights between Stockholm and Inverness and further effort is being made by HOST, VisitScotland , The Highland Council. Golf Highland, HIAL and INE to help market this new route in Sweden.

“Easy access to the Highlands is a vital component in being able to attract more International visitors and being able to fly directly into the heart of the Highlands is a major step forward. We are absolutely delighted at the introduction of the new snowflake flights to Inverness and we hope this may signal the start of further direct routes to Inverness from other International destinations,” said Mr Armstrong.

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 holiday destination. We wish it every success and hope to see further growth in the future. The new flights will assist the HITRANS strategy of developing Inverness as a regional hub in the air network, and the Council with HITRANS are making journeys easier for air passengers by improving the airport bus connections, including a dedicated link with the snowflake flights.”

MP David Stewart, who represents Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, said he hoped snowflake’s service would bring a flurry of visitors to the Highlands and help inward investment.

“This is an excellent development of international flights and I have high hopes the service will be well used by both communities in Sweden and in the Highlands. I wish the company all the best for the future,” he said.

Simon Cole-Hamilton, Chief Executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce said: "Having recently had to fly via London to get to Sweden, it is great news to see the launch of this new service.  It will open up the Highlands to a large Scandinavian market who are very keen to the golf and outdoor pursuits we have to offer.  I have no doubt, too, that it will generate new traffic from the Highlands, and opens up new opportunities to us for holidays and business."

For the cheapest fares book online at www.flysnowflake.com or contact snowflake's booking centre on  +45 7766 1005.

ENDS