Flybe's Inverness-Amsterdam service on target.
BUSINESSES are showing early support for Inverness’ new international air link, with the oil and renewables sectors particularly heavy users.
Five weeks on from the launch of the Inverness to Amsterdam service operator Flybe says passenger figures remain confidential, but privately airline officials are understood to be happy with the route’s performance, with numbers at or slightly above target levels.
This week the service will receive a boost when the Offshore Energy 2011 exhibition is staged in Amsterdam, an event which is attracting a range of firms from the region.
"There seems to be a good mix of business and leisure travellers using the route," said Lynda Johnston, head of business development with Highlands and Islands Airports. "I’ve even spoken to some local business users heading for Brussels who prefer flying to Schiphol and getting the train than driving through Scotland for a direct link."
The route is regarded as crucial for the Highland economy as it opens up connections to Schiphol’s 310 international destinations and it was lobbied for by organisations such as Inverness Chamber of Commerce and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry.
For the next three years it is subsidised with £450,000 of public money from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (£350,000), VisitScotland (£80,000) and Highland Council (£30,000), after which it must operate on a commercial basis. The subsidy, which would normally be outlawed by competition laws, has been allowed under the European Union’s temporary aid rules introduced in response to the recession.
Planes need be at least 55 per cent full to be viable and figures are being kept under constant review.
Ms Johnston believes further publicity and marketing is required to let potential passengers know there is a scheduled international service from Inverness Airport.
"The business market is switching onto it pretty quick but a lot of people out there still go ‘really?’ when you tell them they can fly to Amsterdam," she said. "Flybe has an ongoing marketing plan and it has been very good at donating tickets to organisations for competitions to try and raise awareness, while VisitScotland is promoting the route in the Netherlands to try and bring visitors in."
Flybe declined to discuss the service.
DAILY SERVICE
During the winter one return flight a day operates between Inverness and Amsterdam, Sunday to Friday. A Saturday service is added during the summer.
Flights leave Dalcross at 13.05, arriving in Schiphol at 16.05. The return leaves Schiphol at 16.30, arriving in Inverness at 17.30.
