British Airways is to significantly expand its service between Heathrow Airport and Inverness Airport by operating two daily return services from Monday to Friday and three return services at weekends from summer 2019.
The increased schedule means that, for the first time since the Heathrow to Inverness route was reinstated in 2016, an aircraft will be parked overnight at Inverness Airport and British Airways customers will be able to travel between the two cities, complete a full working day, and return home the very same day.
From 31 March, 2019 the number of weekly flights the airline operates between the two cities during the summer season will increase from 10 to 16.
The winter flying programme between Heathrow’s T5 and Inverness will see a doubling from seven to 14 return services a week, with the airline operating a double-daily schedule every day of the week from 27 October, 2019.
Flights have also been re-timed to improve onward connections on to British Airways’ global network from the London hub of more than 150 destinations worldwide.
British Airways’ airport manager in Inverness, Phyllis Stuart said: “We have been able to increase flights to Inverness because the airport is exempt from Air Passenger Duty. This outdated and unjustified tax stifles British Airways’ route development plans and costs the UK jobs and growth.
“Since we reintroduced the daily service between Inverness and Heathrow we have seen steady growth in passenger numbers at both ends of the route and this further expansion is testament to the support our partners at Inverness Airport and the people and business community of the highlands and islands have given us over the past two years.
“The new schedule will bring greater economic benefits to the region and the extra flights on Saturdays and Sundays will cater for the number of leisure passengers travelling to the highlands and islands during the summer months.”
Highlands and Islands Airports managing director, Inglis Lyon said: “The increased frequency of British Airways flights to Heathrow really is a game changer for Inverness and the Highlands and Islands.
“It opens up a host of new connections and destinations via one of the world’s great aviation hubs, meaning many more people can travel to and from our region on one ticket. Local businesses will benefit from greater connectivity with London and beyond and it opens up opportunities for visitors to access all that the area has to offer.”
