Celebrations as first Inverness to Amsterdam flight takes off

A NEW air service between Inverness and Amsterdam took off this afternoon.

Celebrations got under way at Inverness Airport as the 1.05pm flight embarked on its inaugural flight to Schiphol, one of the world’s biggest airports.

The new service will run seven times per week during the summer months and six times per week in the winter.

Tourism bosses have hailed it an excellent boost to the area and for the tourist industry throughout Scotland, while operators Flybe UK say early bookings already indicate the service’s success.

The 78-seater flight looks like being popular with leisure travellers, and provide new business opportunities, including accessibility to food producers from surrounding areas looking to use the Schiphol service to export their goods abroad.

Inglis Lyon, Managing Director of Highlands and Islands Airport Limited, said his team felt a great sense of achievement.

He said: "The team has worked extremely hard to bring this route to fruition for the region. Inverness can now truly be seen as the Highland gateway for worldwide travel."

Inverness Airport Manager Graeme Bell added: "To celebrate the new connection to Amsterdam we decided to gift Schiphol Airport with some of our finest local produce from our Highland region – it even contains organic carrots grown in fields next to the airport. The area is already known for its spectacular scenery, historic ancestry and friendly culture but we wanted to emphasise the food aspect and promote it as an opportunity for exporting foods with a short shelf life into the European mainland and possibly beyond."

Scottish food writer Lady Claire Macdonald, who showcased the hamper, said the inauguration of the daily flights was "truly momentous".

She said: "This day is the beginning of the potential for international visits directly into the Highlands for very many people, and the implication for all of us who work so hard within the tourism industry, which is the lifeblood of the Scottish economy, is the most hopeful and positive aspect of this, the inauguration flight."

Andrew Strong, Managing Director of Flybe UK, said the level of bookings taken is "very promising" and an early indication of the route’s success.

Meanwhile, Scott Armstrong, VisitScotland’s Regional Director, added: "The Netherlands represents a significant market for Scotland and the new service will provide a real opportunity for the industry to reap the economic benefits of anticipated growth."

Services will depart from Inverness, Monday to Friday and Sunday from September 5 to March 23 at 1.05pm, arriving at Amsterdam at 4.05pm. Return flights from Amsterdam will depart at 4.30pm, arriving in Inverness at 5.30pm.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.