Business leaders hope the launch of extra flights between the Highlands and Amsterdam will help fast-track the construction of a rail station to link Inverness Airport and the city centre.
New daily 6.20am outward KLM flights and inward flights at 9.05pm begin today for the summer – and if there is the demand, KLM is keen to make it a year-round service.
Additional flights have been added a year after it launched the Dutch connection.
The rail halt has planning permission but the development hinges on a nearby level crossing being permanently closed by Network Rail – and it has proved problematic.
Residents in isolated local communities have opposed the closure because of the inconvenience of extra miles on their regular journeys.
The necessary funding for the £5million rail halt is edging closer.
Frank Roach of regional transport agency Hitrans confirmed yesterday that Scottish Stations Fund backing had been secured along with local funds – but £1.3million still needs to be found.
He said: “It all now depends on whether it has to go a public local inquiry.”
Celebrating the new flights, Highlands and Islands Airports managing director Inglis Lyon said: “The new service will help meet the demand for access to and from the world through Inverness.
“We’ve got some more business that we’re expecting to win for this year and for next year, going to some of the sunnier climes within Europe.”
KLM’s UK and Ireland general manager Warner Rootliep said: “We believe the additional capacity and improved connections will offer opportunities to strengthen our presence out of Inverness.”
Further north, Hial celebrated the first flight from Kirkwall to Norway’s Bergen at the weekend.
The Loganair connection means islanders can reach the Norwegian city known as “the gateway to the fjords” in less than 75 minutes.
