Concern rise in landing fees could threaten Gatwick flight

Could the Inverness to London Gatwick flight be under threat?

A VITAL air link between Inverness and London Gatwick could be at risk because of increases to landing charges, it is feared.

Highland councillors are concerned increases imposed on regional carriers like Flybe will be passed onto passengers and impact on the numbers using the flight, making it less profitable.

They now propose to write to operator Flybe, which runs a three times a day service between London and Gatwick, to support its opposition to the rises in landing fees.

Global Infrastructure Partners, who operate Gatwick, got permission from the Civil Aviation Authority to raise charges earlier this year, resulting in a 20 per cent rise for small aircrafts, like those run by Flybe on the Inverness to Gatwick route.