On a chilly afternoon in the Scottish Highlands, the atmosphere at Inverness Airport was anything but cold. The terminal buzzed with anticipation as passengers gathered for a milestone event: the first-ever direct flight from Inverness to Gran Canaria. For many, it was more than just a journey to sunnier climes—it marked a long-awaited leap forward in local travel convenience, cost savings, and community pride.
The inaugural flight, which departed at precisely 2:47 PM on February 17, 2026, was the product of nearly three years of planning and collaboration. Operated by Murray Travel—a Highland firm co-founded by Scott and Sarah Murray—and chartered through Air Baltic, the exclusive five-week program offers weekly flights every Tuesday to the Spanish island, famed for its warm winter weather and picturesque landscapes. According to Highland News & Media, the first flight was nearly full, a testament to the pent-up demand for direct winter sun escapes among Highlanders.
Scott Murray, visibly energized by the moment, shared, "As a Highland business, we’ve always believed in the potential of our local airport, and we’re delighted to finally bring this project to life. Gran Canaria is a hugely popular destination, and now Highland travellers can fly direct from their doorstep—no long layovers or stressful connections needed. And no driving up the A9 at 2am after a long flight!"
For many passengers, the appeal was clear: convenience, comfort, and significant cost savings. John and Anne Kirk from Nethy Bridge highlighted just how much easier—and cheaper—the direct route makes planning a holiday. "It’s very quick coming through security and you always meet someone you know. It would cost you another £100 getting to Glasgow or Edinburgh, £100 for parking and then more if you were staying the night. You are probably saving £300 going from here, so it makes it easier," John Kirk told Highland News & Media.
Others echoed the sentiment. Meg from Elgin was effusive about the new service, saying, "It’s wonderful to have the direct flight. It’s so much easier than having to trek to Edinburgh. We deserve this kind of treatment. We shouldn’t have to travel to Edinburgh to get a plane in this day and age."
James and Moira Gordon, both in their seventies and hailing from Portmahomack, explained to The Press and Journal how the direct flight was a game-changer for older travelers. "You have to travel down, then stay overnight, then leave the car there and then you’ve got the travel home when you’re back. It’s too much. Flying from Inverness makes such a difference. If more flights went from here, we would absolutely book them too," Moira said. James added, "We’re looking forward to some sun, we aren’t just going to Palma, but around the south coast as well. Everything has been really easy and we’ve been kept well informed."
Timing, too, proved a crucial factor. The afternoon departure, as opposed to the early morning flights often required from larger airports, was a hit among passengers wary of winter weather. Moira Bingham from Lossiemouth pointed out, "You could book to go from Aberdeen, end up with a morning flight and not get there because of snow. The timing of this one in the afternoon suits us better, at least then roads will be cleared and so will flights."
Interestingly, for some passengers, the destination itself was secondary to the convenience of flying from their local airport. "We’ve never been to Gran Canaria—it’s not a place I probably would have chosen to go. But it was purely the fact of going from Inverness. And if they do somewhere else, that would be great too," Moira Bingham admitted to The Press and Journal.
The positive response from the community was not lost on Murray Travel. Scott Murray noted, "It’s been really well supported so far, some of the flights have almost sold out and some in the middle still have a few spaces. We are seeing more and more bookings come in daily, which is good when we have no data to show how this would go. It’s a first for Inverness Airport. So we’re pleased with how it will balance out at the end, and hopefully by the end of it we’re ready to announce something new for next year."
The launch of the Inverness to Gran Canaria route follows on the heels of Murray Travel’s successful chartered flights to Lapland at the end of the previous year. This growing portfolio of direct, seasonal flights is part of a broader vision to enhance travel options for Highland residents and to tap into the region’s potential as a gateway for leisure travel.
Passengers like Jimmy and Liz from Inverness couldn’t be happier with the experience. "It’s so convenient just driving a few miles out. It makes a big difference, we stayed in the airport hotel last night and have free parking, a nice stay and nice breakfast. So it has already been very good, and we haven’t even got on the plane," Jimmy said. Liz added, "The Murray Travel team have been excellent, it was all booked in 20 minutes with no hassle at all. If they put more flights on we’d be delighted—flying direct makes a huge difference, especially to people who need special support."
The economic benefits for the region are also noteworthy. By keeping travelers—and their spending—within the Highlands, the new service helps support local businesses, from taxis to hotels to the airport itself. It also reduces the environmental impact associated with long drives to distant airports, a point not lost on environmentally conscious travelers.
Gran Canaria, the destination at the heart of this new route, is renowned for its year-round sunshine, dramatic volcanic landscapes, and vibrant local culture. For Highlanders emerging from a long, dark winter, the island offers not just warmth but a rejuvenating escape.
As the first flight soared southward, the excitement among passengers was palpable. Many were already looking ahead to next year, hoping that this experiment in direct, seasonal routes would become a fixture in the Highland travel calendar. With Murray Travel hinting at further announcements and a community eager for more options, the future for Inverness Airport—and for Highland holidaymakers—looks decidedly brighter.
For now, though, the success of the inaugural Inverness to Gran Canaria flight is a testament to what can be achieved when local businesses, travelers, and airlines come together with a shared vision. The Highlands, it seems, are no longer quite so far from the sun.