Lufthansa announces new Dussledorf to Inverness route

German national carrier Lufthansa has confirmed that it will offer flights between Dusseldorf and Inverness from the start of next summer.

Just days after fellow carrier Icelandair warned that it is likely to halt its services between Glasgow and Reykjavik due to falling passenger demand, the Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) welcomed this latest news, claiming it will serve as a massive boost to the local economy.

Under Lufthansa's plans, two services a week will join the two cities, thereby providing valuable tourism and business links between the Scottish highlands and Germany.

Flights will take just under two hours and will be available between June and September, with Lufthansa set to make use of Jet 700 aircraft owned by Canadair Regional for the route.

According to recent research carried out by HIAL, Germany represents the second biggest international market for incoming tourism, being held off the top spot by only the USA.

It is estimated that some 278,000 German tourists head to the country each year, generating in excess of £125 million for the local economy.

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