Highlands and Islands Airports Limited

Flybe, Europe’s largest and most successful regional airline, today announces the early release of its 2009 Summer Schedule with 40 flights a week to and from Inverness and London Gatwick. Flybe is also putting on sale a selection of new sun routes to be featured in its regional Summer Schedule, including the launch of two brand new routes from Southampton to the popular Adriatic resorts of Split and Dubrovnik

This early selection of Flybe’s new 2009 Summer schedule from Inverness is available for booking today at www.flybe.com for travel between 29th March and 7th September 2009.

Inverness – London Gatwick

• Fares from £31.99 one way including taxes and airport charges
• Flights operate three times daily on weekdays, twice daily on Saturdays and three times a day on Sundays 

The early release of the London Gatwick route out of Inverness International Airport will provide Highland & Island travellers with frequent, low-cost, reliable services from their doorstep to London with early-bird bookers able to enjoy the lowest possible fares.

Mike Rutter, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer, comments: “It’s never too early to think about next summer!  Our Summer timetable sees us continuing to listen to our regional customers by providing them with the convenience and flexibility of travel to the capital.

“We are fully committed to Inverness and are always looking at ways to develop our route offering out of the base. Over the last twelve months we have continued to grow and develop the airline to provide the most cost-effective, efficient and flexible service for passengers. Our new Summer Sun Schedule will also boost the large selection of connecting flights that are now available through Flybe Connections, a convenient, new, one-stop, thru-booking service that incorporates those offered by our new franchise partner, Loganair.”

Flybe’s preliminary Summer Sun route announcement complements that of Loganair publishing its full 2009 Summer Schedule today with the Scottish carrier continuing to offer a wide selection of destinations for both business and leisure travel. Tickets are available for booking now from £31.99 one way including taxes and airport charges at www.flybe.com.

Mr Rutter adds: “We anticipate our new Summer Sun routes will be very popular with those passengers looking for the best deal possible for their holidays next year. We would strongly advise them to book early and take advantage of the lowest possible fares.”