Highland Council Leader welcomes easyJet commitment to Gatwick air links
The Leader of The Highland Council Councillor Drew Hendry has warmly welcomed news that easyJet is to enhance connections between Inverness and London from Spring 2014 as part of a new five year deal between the airline and Inverness Airport.
From spring 2014 easyJet will increase capacity between Inverness and London by almost 30% with the introduction of an early morning departure to Gatwick and an evening arrival from Gatwick. The additional services will promote travel to both cities by offering low fares, friendly service and a choice of three flights a day.
The new easyJet flights will launch in March and the full timetable will be announced later this summer. They will be operated by modern, Airbus A319 156 seater planes.
Councillor Hendry said: “I am absolutely delighted with this announcement, which is a huge boost in confidence for the Highland economy. I know that a key factor in easyJet’s decision was the very clear message and evidence of growth of the Highland economy and the opportunities this presents to them in developing the service to London.
“I am sure easyJet were also impressed by the united front presented by public agencies and the business community in highlighting the critical importance to our future wellbeing of the Inverness – Gatwick air service. It is great to see all the hard work put in by everyone paying such a rich dividend. At the Council, we look forward to working with easyJet and Highlands and Islands Airports and all our other partners in growing air services out of Inverness to serve the local community and visitors alike.”
Hugh Aitken, easyJet’s Head of Scotland, said: “easyJet is pleased to confirm that it will introduce an early morning and evening flight between Inverness and London Gatwick as part of a new five year deal agreed with Inverness Airport. This deal demonstrates easyJet’s commitment to Inverness and the Highlands.
“The new early flight will allow business travellers to reach London in time for meetings while the evening departure from London enables them to travel home on the same day. The additional seats will also help boost tourism to the Highlands.
“In developing our plans for the future we have listened to all the points made by government and business leaders. Their enthusiasm to work with easyJet has been clear from the start and we hope this support will continue throughout the new five year partnership.”
Inglis Lyon, Managing Director of HIAL, which operates Inverness Airport, said: “I am delighted that we have reached agreement with easyJet on a deal which not only secures access between Inverness and London Gatwick, but also provides a platform for future growth at Inverness Airport.
“Our priority throughout our discussions with easyJet was to secure early morning and evening flights between Inverness and Gatwick and the agreement we have reached achieves those twin objectives. This announcement is a major vote of confidence in the Highland economy from one of Europe’s largest airlines and we look forward to working with easyJet, local businesses and the tourism sector to ensure the success of these new services.”
Last month easyJet confirmed it had signed a deal to purchase 25 additional slots at Gatwick airport from Flybe. This deal is subject to approval by Flybe shareholders. Since then easyJet has held a series of meetings with HIAL, Transport and Veterans Minister Keith Brown MSP, Danny Alexander MP, Inverness Chamber of Commerce, the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, The Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to understand their views on the future of services between Inverness and London.
Outline schedule for Summer 2014 (final details to be published in due course).
Inverness – London
Dep To
0645 LGW
1130 LTN
1530 LGW
London – Inverness
Dep From
0930 LTN
1300 LGW
2000 LGW
easyJet offers up to 64 flights a day between Scotland and London and operates from more Scottish airports than any other airline. easyJet now operates flights from Inverness, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh to London Gatwick, Luton, Southend and Stansted.