For years, residents of Scotland’s Highlands have faced the familiar travel headache: a sunny escape to Spain’s Canary Islands meant an early-morning drive down the A9 to Glasgow or Edinburgh, followed by layovers and long hours in transit. But as of February 17, 2026, that’s all changed—at least for a lucky few. Murray Travel, a Highland-based travel firm, has launched the first-ever direct flights from Inverness to Gran Canaria, a move that’s already being hailed as a game-changer for local holidaymakers.
The inaugural flight departed Inverness Airport on a crisp February morning, nearly full to capacity. This new service isn’t just another seasonal charter; it’s the result of almost three years of planning and negotiation, according to Murray Travel’s co-founder Scott Murray. In partnership with Air Baltic, the company is running an exclusive five-week program, offering Highlanders a chance to trade wintry landscapes for Gran Canaria’s sun—no airport transfers or early-morning motorway marathons required.
“Gran Canaria is a hugely popular destination,” Murray told El Balad. “And now Highland travelers can fly direct from their doorstep.” For many, that’s not just a matter of convenience, but of significant savings in both time and money. The Kirk family from Nethy Bridge, for instance, were quick to point out the benefits. “It’s so much easier than having to travel to Edinburgh or Glasgow,” said John Kirk, echoing the sentiment of many on the inaugural flight. His wife Anne added, “We’re saving hours on the road and quite a bit of money, too.”
Other passengers, like Meg from Elgin, highlighted the stress-free nature of a local departure. “It just makes the whole experience so much easier,” she said, a sentiment that seemed to ripple through the cabin as the flight taxied down the runway. Margaret from Inverness agreed, describing the journey as “stress-free” and emphasizing how a local flight removes much of the hassle from holiday travel.
The enthusiasm is understandable. Until now, Highland residents looking for a sunny getaway have had to work around the limited options at their local airport, often facing lengthy and expensive detours to larger Scottish cities. The new direct route, even if only for five weeks, is a strong signal that regional airports can offer more than just connections to London or domestic hubs. It’s also a testament to Murray Travel’s commitment to meeting local demand. The company previously ran chartered flights to Lapland, which proved popular and demonstrated the appetite for more adventurous—and convenient—travel options from the Highlands.
According to El Balad, the nearly sold-out inaugural flight is a promising indicator of the program’s success. The hope, both among travelers and organizers, is that this five-week experiment will pave the way for more regular direct services in the future. For now, though, those lucky enough to have secured a seat are relishing the opportunity to bypass the usual travel bottlenecks and head straight for the sun.
But while Highlanders are celebrating their new direct link to Gran Canaria, the rest of Spain—and especially the Canary Islands—are seeing a different kind of travel boom. Iberia Express, the low-cost subsidiary of the Iberia Group, has launched a bold new price campaign that’s making headlines across the country. The airline, which operates up to 360 weekly flights between the Canary Islands and Madrid, is now offering one-way tickets from just 15 euros for residents traveling from Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, or La Palma to Madrid. Lanzarote residents can snag tickets for 16 euros. The catch? You need to be a member of Club Express, Iberia Express’s loyalty program, to access these rock-bottom fares.
This promotion, as reported by El Balad, is available for bookings until Monday, March 2, 2026, with travel permitted through June 18, 2026. It’s a move that’s expected to further boost the already robust traffic between the islands and the Spanish capital. Iberia Express isn’t just focusing on domestic routes, either. The airline is offering competitive fares from Madrid to international destinations like Manchester (from 29 euros) and London (from 35 euros), all on the condition that travelers purchase round-trip tickets.
What sets Iberia Express apart isn’t just its aggressive pricing. The airline has developed a hybrid business model, blending low-cost operations with the option of Business service on all its aircraft. With a fleet of 24 planes, it has carved out a niche as the leading low-cost carrier on routes connecting Madrid with both the Canary and Balearic Islands. And it’s not just about quantity: in 2025, Iberia Express was named the most punctual airline in Europe by the consultancy Cirium, a distinction that’s sure to appeal to travelers weary of delays and cancellations.
For Canary Islands residents, the timing couldn’t be better. The islands, famous for their year-round sunshine and volcanic landscapes, are a magnet for both Spanish and international tourists. But for locals, affordable and reliable air links to the mainland are essential for work, family, and leisure. Iberia Express’s campaign, with its resident discounts and Club Express perks, is designed to make travel more accessible than ever.
Of course, there’s a catch to these low fares: you have to join Club Express to benefit. But for many, that’s a small price to pay for the chance to fly to Madrid—or beyond—at a fraction of the usual cost. The airline’s strategy also dovetails with broader trends in European aviation, where loyalty programs and targeted discounts are increasingly used to build customer bases and fill seats, especially during off-peak periods.
In the big picture, both the Inverness-Gran Canaria direct flight and Iberia Express’s price campaign reflect a wider shift in the travel industry. Regional airports and smaller carriers are stepping up to fill gaps left by larger airlines, responding to pent-up demand for convenience, affordability, and flexibility. For Highlanders, the chance to jet off to Gran Canaria without a marathon journey south is a long-awaited relief—and perhaps a sign of more to come if the experiment proves a success. For Canary Islands residents, Iberia Express’s discounts are a welcome boost, making it easier to stay connected to Madrid and the rest of Europe.
As the skies over Europe get busier, one thing’s clear: whether you’re escaping the Scottish winter for Spanish sunshine or hopping from the Canaries to the capital, the travel landscape is changing fast. And for travelers on both ends of these new routes, that change feels like a breath of fresh—if slightly warmer—air.