British Airways to commence flights to Inverness

British Airways is to start a daily service from London Heathrow Terminal 5 to Inverness on May 3.

Operated by an A319, with up to 143 seats, the new route will boost BA's current offering of up to 58 daily return services a day between Scotland and Heathrow, London City and Gatwick airports.

BA previously operated flights from Heathrow to Inverness between November 1968 and November 1997, when they were suspended "for commercial reasons". The flights were taken over by British Regional Airlines, which operated the route to Inverness from Gatwick.

Denize Mcgregor, BA's head of UK customer service and operations, said: "British Airways' daily flights will benefit the Inverness economy by linking the business community of the city and its environs with our global network of more than 130 destinations, and help boost the area's vital in-bound tourism sector by bringing even more visitors to this beautiful and historic city, with its unique environment, scenery and culture."

Inglis Lyon, managing director of Inverness Airport operator HIAL, said: "Inverness Airport has done what few other regional airports have achieved in recent years, attracting one of the world’s leading airlines and securing access to the UK's hub airport at the same time."

Derek Mackay, Scottish Minister for Transport and the Islands, added: "This is fantastic news for the Highlands, offering a new direct link with London and opening up a wide range of onward connections from Heathrow. This is particularly important for Scottish businesses looking for improved access to global markets."

One-way hand baggage only fares are available from £47 from Inverness to Heathrow and from £60 from Heathrow to Inverness.

FLIGHT DETAILS

BA'S SCOTTISH ROUTE FREQUENCIES*

*The frequency of flights may vary from season to season

ba.com

Tom Otley