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Earlier News - 2007 11
June 07
27 May 07
Popular Flying Association Members Fly Into Wick Figures released by Highlands and Islands Airports
Limited show that an additional 80,000 passengers have used its 10
airports in the year to 31 March 2007 compared to the previous operating
year making it the sixth consecutive year of passenger growth. Total
annual passenger numbers at its airports have increased by 57% since
2000/01. The year end results demonstrate the increasingly
important role played by aviation in the economic development and social
sustainability of the region which comprises some of the UK's most
remote communities. Aircraft movements in HIAL's busiest ever year
increased by almost 9% from 93,234 in 2005/06 to a total of 101,223 in
2006/07. Increases to the frequency of scheduled flights, new
routes and the introduction of the Scottish Executive's Air Discount
Scheme in May 2006 have all contributed to passenger growth across the
region's air network, according to HIAL. The region's largest airport at Inverness handled
almost 700,000 passengers in the year - its busiest ever - a 5% increase
due to the introduction of new routes to Benbecula, Belfast City,
Dublin, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, Nottingham East Midlands and
Southampton airports by Aer Arann, Flybe, Highland Airways and Ryanair. HIAL's three second largest airports at Kirkwall,
Stornoway and Sumburgh saw increases of 17%, 6% and 6% respectively. The
airports which showed the greatest percentage increases in the year were
Islay with 26% due to Loganair's introduction of more flights and Sunday
services between the island and Glasgow and Kirkwall due to additional
frequency on Loganair's services to the Scottish mainland. The only one of the 10 airports not to record growth
during the year was Campbeltown which handled 121 passengers less than
in 2005/06, a drop of 1.3%. Wick had a 5.7% increase in traffic in
the year David Sutherland, chairman of HIAL said: "Air travel
plays a vital economic and social role in our region. It supports
business growth, inbound tourism and sustainable communities,
particularly in remoter island locations. Equally, the population growth
and economic expansion in the Inner Moray Firth is being supported by
better air connections from Inverness, which accounted for 57% of our
total passengers in the year. "A lot of hard work on the part of the airlines,
stakeholders and the team at HIAL under the chairmanship of my
predecessor Sandy Matheson has gone into achieving a very good result
for the year. The real beneficiaries of this are the people who live and
work in or visit our region for business or leisure - the people who
have had better access to air services in the past 12 months. "Our focus will remain ensuring that we improve our
efficiency as a business while making a positive contribution to the
local economy and communities as part of an effective transport network
for the Highlands and Islands," said Mr Sutherland.
19
March 07
27 February 07 More than 90 passengers arrived on the inaugural flights which touched down at 2.40pm, many visiting friends and family in the north.
The service will operate three days a week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) from now on with a single return flight on each day. Flights depart Nottingham at 13.20 and arrive at Inverness at 14.40 before departing Inverness at 15.05 and arriving at Nottingham at 16.25. Ryanair launched its first service at Inverness in October last year with daily flights operating to Liverpool. Lucky departing passenger Jennifer Burns, from Inverness, received champagne, chocolates and flight vouchers courtesy of the airline while arriving passengers were greeted with gifts of chocolate, whisky and promotional literature on Highland 2007, tourist attractions and accommodation in the region.
Inverness Airport manager James Walton said: "We are delighted to celebrate the start of Ryanair's Nottingham East Midlands service today which opens up new opportunities for Highland travellers with the low fares airline. "With Highland 2007 making this a great year to visit the region we hope that many leisure travellers will take the opportunity to travel north on the service as well over the coming months." For flight information and booking visit www.ryanair.com
19 February 07 The airline has introduced a 29-seater Jetstream 41 aircraft on its services from Aberdeen to Stornoway and Wick and at the same time adorn many of its jets with the Air Discount Scheme logo to prompt people to take advantage of the initiative. Graeme Ross, Scotland director for Eastern Airways, said: “Increasing capacity on both of these routes was a real priority for the company and it helps to cement them into the transport infrastructure of the regions. “By increasing capacity and enhancing the services due to the popularity of these routes, we are demonstrating a firm commitment to the regions.” The Air Discount Scheme allows local allows local people to take advantage of a 40 per cent saving on normal ticket prices and is aimed to promote air travel in Scotland. The larger Jetstream 41 will replaced the current aircraft on both routes from 12th February. Eastern Airways operates three flights each weekday between Aberdeen and Wick and a daily Monday to Friday service between Aberdeen and Stornoway.
9 January 07 Highland holidaymakers now have more choice of destinations than ever before in the holiday company's fourth year of operation at the region's largest airport. Newmarket's 2007 programme starts with a flight to Madeira on 7th March offering travellers a choice of quality hotel accommodation and optional excursions on the Atlantic island for seven nights. Later this year, June, July and October will see a further seven flights depart Inverness to destinations including Naples, Verona, Sardinia and Madeira. Newmarket also plans to offer a flight to Salzburg's Christmas markets in December from Inverness.
Departure from Inverness on 1st June 2007
offers seven night options of:
Departures from Inverness on 1st or 8th
July and 7th October 2007 offer Further holiday departures with Newmarket include Naples on 5th October, Sardinia on 13th October and Madeira on 17th October. James Walton, Inverness Airport manager said: "Newmarket is operating its largest ever programme from Inverness this year and is offering holidaymakers more choice than ever before in destination and accommodation packages. "The quality product offered by Newmarket appeals to the local market and, coupled with the convenience of flying from your local airport, we expect the 2007 programme to be popular. "With new long stay car parking rates now available at the airport we would advise people to book their 2007 holidays now as demand is expected to be high, starting with Madeira at the beginning of March," said Mr Walton. Alison Keeble, business development manager at Newmarket Holidays added: "Since starting at Inverness in 2004 we have steadily expanded our range of high quality holiday packages from the Highlands and look forward to offering people in the region the widest range of destinations and accommodation options yet this year." For reservations and further information contact Newmarket Holidays on 0845 226 7744, speak to your local ABTA travel agent or visit the www.hial.co.uk website. |
