After a five-month suspension due to Covid-19, LNER has restored through service between London King’s Cross, Inverness and Aberdeen.
The ‘Highland Chieftain’ is back! Our service is bound for Inverness for the first time since March. First southbound trip tomorrow #TravelSafelyThisSummer https://t.co/szzDE6MXSp pic.twitter.com/I7O3UZv3gZ
— David Horne (@DavidHorne) August 2, 2020
These are the longest routes on LNER’s network. And schedules mean that trains must overnight at the destination before returning to London Kings Cross.
There are up to three daily London-Aberdeen services with one daily service operating London-Inverness. All are operated by bi-mode Azuma trainsets.
As reported last week, LNER recently restored its onboard catering.
One attraction with Inverness is that the Highlands’ airport is exempt from Airline Passenger Duty.
Savvy travellers within easy reach of Inverness were increasingly patronising this Highlands’ airport for their flights both short and long-haul.
There are substantial savings for premium class and for family leisure travel.
The tax haven status of Inverness has been criticised by its closest rival Aberdeen – see this BBC report from 2019.
However Inverness has retained its APD exemption – reported the Evening Express in March.
Pre Covid-19 both British Airways and KLM had been increasing schedules from Inverness. Both carriers are competing for transit passengers especially those flying long-haul.
Of course schedules today have been badly impacted by Covid-19 but when they do return to some sort of normality remember the APD exemption at Inverness.
