Improving Scotland’s links with the rest of the UK and the wider world is one of this Scottish Government’s main priorities.
Establishing and maintaining air links to major cities in the UK and around Europe is a crucial part of that strategy as we look to strengthen and build the country’s business and tourism sectors.
This morning’s launch of the enhanced easyJet service between Inverness and London Gatwick is a prime example of this commitment.
When ministers were given notice of Flybe’s intention to cease services between Inverness and Gatwick, I was determined not to let this important link disappear and moved quickly to engage with Highlands and Islands Airports Limited and easyJet to find a way forward.
Thanks to this swift reaction, we have retained a service to one of London’s main airports, which is a crucial link for the local economy of the Highlands and Islands. I have no doubt this will be welcomed by travellers to and from the Highland capital.
EasyJet will base an Airbus A319 at Inverness Airport and increase the number of daily flights between Inverness and Gatwick to two-per-day each way, with a peak time service ideal for business travel arriving at Gatwick before 9am and a northbound flight making the return journey after 7pm, and increase capacity on the route – rising from around 212,000 seats a year to around 230,000.
I want to encourage more people to use these services, from local firms looking to do business in London to visitors tasting the wonderful tourist experience of the Highlands and Islands.
Today’s launch is a good example of how the Scottish Government mitigates against the effects of the UK Government’s aviation policies which don’t serve Scotland.
The current Air Passenger Duty (APD) regime in the UK means we are locked in a “one size fits all” policy suited to the airports in the south of England. APD in the UK is repeatedly cited by airlines and airports as an obstacle when it comes to securing new routes and maintaining existing ones. Flybe themselves highlighted APD as one of the reasons they pulled out of Inverness, despite the Highlands and Islands’ exemption.
Leading voices in the aviation industry, including BA and Ryanair, have backed the Scottish Government policy to cut APD by 50% upon independence with a view to scrapping it completely in the longer term, something that will hugely increase the number of direct international flights to and from Scotland while slashing airfares for holidaymakers and business travellers.