Commenting on today’s publication of Department for Transport guidance on the protection of regional air services to London, Highlands and Islands Airports Limited said the region must now rise to the challenge of ensuring that services between Inverness and London were well used and sustainable.

With the region currently enjoying the best level of air access to London it has ever had HIAL believes that encouraging use of the routes for business and tourism is the best way to ensure their future success.

There are currently 42 return flights per week between Inverness and London airports: 21 BA CitiExpress to Gatwick; 7 bmi to Heathrow; 7 easyJet to Gatwick and 7 easyJet to Luton. This means that there are 1,600 seats available between Inverness and London every day.

Inglis Lyon, managing director of HIAL said: “Air access from Inverness to London is very important for the region’s economy and this has been recognised by the DfT, particularly in its decision that any diminishment of service will be examined on a case by case basis. The region has not got everything it asked for in last year’s consultation but we understand the reasoning behind DfT’s decision and their wish to avoid Government intervention unless air access to London is under imminent threat.

“The outcome is that the region now has a challenge ahead which is to ensure that our existing services continue to flourish and remain good business opportunities for the airlines,” said Mr Lyon.

Inverness Airport has achieved major growth in the London market in recent years with easyJet’s Gatwick and bmi’s Heathrow services joining the long established BA CitiExpress Gatwick and easyJet Luton services. More than 400,000 passengers travelled on these routes in 2004.

Mr Lyon said: “We have good air access to London and it is crucial that we make the most of this opportunity and ensure that it is sustainable. The best way to do this is for the public and private sectors to work together to make this region attractive to both businesses and visitors. Ultimately, a healthy economy and vibrant region will deliver successful air routes, passenger demand and growth. This will ensure that airlines maintain their commitment to operating routes between Inverness and London.

“We must look at the positive aspects of today’s announcement and make the most of the great opportunities for the region to make our London routes stimulate more business and tourism. That is where the effort must be concentrated from now on.”

The full text of today’s DfT announcement can be found at the http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=181942&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False web link.