Flybe failed to give scrapped Inverness to London City flights time to bed in - council leader
FLYBE did not give its scrapped Inverness to London City flights enough time to get established before pulling the plug, the leader of Highland Council believes.
The regional airline yesterday announced it was suspending the service from late February as a result of low passenger numbers.
The move came barely two months after the service was launched, amid a wave of publicity, at Inverness Airport in late October. The service will be scrapped from Sunday 22 February.
Reacting on Twitter, Highland Council leader, and Aird and Loch Ness councillor, Drew Hendry, also pledged to look into the matter. He said: “Shocked. Can't be long enough time to establish. Will pursue.”
Highlands and Islands MSP and shadow transport minister, David Stewart, meanwhile has described the suspension of the service a “body blow to the Highlands”.
Mr Stewart said: "It is extremely disappointing that Flybe have decided to slash the daily Inverness to London City service.
"The route was hailed locally by many as a huge boost for the Highland economy, and was praised in particular by those in the local business community who recognised the commercial potential opened up by this service.
"Maintaining regional air connectivity both domestic and international is vital to supporting the economy of the Highlands and Islands through bringing in business investment and supporting the tourist industry. The loss of the service will be a blow to both."
Elsewhere, next month's suspension of the service has drawn surprise and frustration from local residents. Others blamed high prices for the failure of the service.
Commenting on The Inverness Courier's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/inverness-courier, Katie Rhind said: “Complete backwards step by Flybe here. Inverness is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe and it is completely nonsensical that they are suspending [the] flights.”
Fellow commenter Bev Petrie added: “The price of flights was ridiculous to be honest.”
And Linsey Macrae said: “Maybe if the service was better more passengers would have booked...”
