This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New Leeds-Inverness air route
23/02/2006
The first direct air service linking the capital of the Highlands to the north of England is to be supported by funding from the Scottish Executive.
Transport Minister Tavish Scott today announced that the Executive's Route Development Fund (RDF) would support Eastern Airways in operating an all year round service from Inverness airport to Leeds Bradford airport. The service is due to commence on April 24, this year.
Mr Scott said:
"UK visitor survey figures show that over 150,000 people from North Yorkshire and Humberside visit the Highlands every year. This new air service will provide further opportunities for people from the north of England to visit the many tourist attractions in the north and far north.
"The route also reflects growing confidence in the Inverness business community to expand and develop links between the Highlands and the regions of northern England.
"The Route Development Fund has made a real difference for business travellers and tourists by expanding our direct air services to the rest of the UK, Europe and the world."
The service will see twelve flights per week all year round using a Bae Jetstream 41 aircraft with 29 seats.
The Route Development Fund is provided through the Scottish Budget with £14.4 million funding over the period 2005-06 to 2007-08. The criteria for investment in new air services serving the Highlands are different recognising the area's ability to sustain air services in the long-term. The level of frequency is flexibly applied and the Fund can be used to support intra-Scotland and seasonal services. The aim is that the Fund should be inclusive and embrace all of Scotland's diverse communities.
The Route Development Fund supports new air links where airlines can demonstrate the services will have a direct economic benefit to Scotland. The flights must involve regularly scheduled services and must not undermine existing flights. The exact amount from the fund given to the airline cannot be disclosed due to reasons of commercial confidentiality.
Since it was introduced in 2002, the Route Development Fund has brought £87 million of economic benefit to the Scottish economy. Last year fund-supported routes carried 891,000 passengers.