Tickets are now on sale for easyJet’s new daily Belfast-Inverness service that will start operating on 1 July 2005.

Fares start from £17.99 one way or £30.98 return, including taxes and charges, if booked via the www.easyjet.com website. The service will fly seven days a week, departing Belfast at 1410 and arriving in Inverness at 1515. Outbound flights from the Highlands leave at 1535, arriving in Belfast at 1640.

Helen Dolce, easyJet Marketing Manager for Scotland said: "We believe this new route is going to be one of our most popular and will prove to be well used by people throughout the Highlands and Northern Ireland.  It will provide a gateway to Ireland and we expect it to be extremely popular among leisure travellers looking to enjoy the Emerald Isle.

“The link will also be particularly attractive to those people in Northern Ireland who want to explore the beauty of the Highlands and will provide a major economic boost to the tourist industry in Inverness and throughout the region. 

“Inverness is one of the fastest growing cities in the UK and the route will act as a vital link between the rapidly growing business communities in and around Inverness and Belfast.”

James Walton, Inverness Airport Manager with HIAL, said: “This will be easyJet’s third route from the Highlands’ hub airport and we expect it to be as successful as the airline’s existing services to Gatwick and Luton airports.

“The most competitive fares are available via easyJet’s website and people are already booking to take advantage of this new direct air link between two important UK cities. We expect both leisure and business travellers to use the route and that it will provide a major boost to both passenger growth at Inverness and the region’s economy during 2005.”

ENDS