Heathrow-Inverness airline service 'brings £17m to Scottish economy'

Figures newly released by Heathrow reveal £17m is expected to be injected into the Scottish economy annually, as a result of a new Heathrow to Inverness air service introduced this month.

Heathrow, Inverness Airport and Scottish businesses have come together to welcome British Airways’ new daily flight, that will better connect the North with the UK’s only international hub airport.

The launch will see an additional 83,500 seats to Inverness every year and help more international passengers connect to the area, as well as its people, tourism, exports and business.

Better connections to Heathrow is said to give Scottish businesses more opportunity to reach markets and trade with the world.

Heathrow deals with 34 per cent of all UK trade (by value) and in 2017, handled 35,000 tonnes of salmon, a major Scottish export, worth £223m to UK economy.

Heathrow’s chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, said: “As the UK’s front door, we’re are proud to promote Scotland to travellers from around the world who arrive to Heathrow on more than 80 airlines.

“Connecting passengers to the local economy and more Scottish businesses to the world, is vital, and Heathrow will continue to support all airlines in their efforts to boost regional links.”

Heathrow also recognises the vital role SMEs play in keeping the UK an outward looking trading nation, and over the past two years have partnered with the Department for International Trade’s ‘Exporting is GREAT’ Campaign.

This aims to help British businesses identify and reach new markets for their goods or services.

The World of Opportunity programme has, so far, awarded 40 SMEs with grants worth £80k to fund trade missions, trade shows and foreign market research.

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →