The news comes directly from the Scottish Highlands and brings excellent prospects for the south of Gran Canaria. Murray Travel, an agency with a decade of experience and strong regional roots, has announced for the first time the organization of charter flights, including a five-week program with direct connections from Inverness Airport to Gran Canaria for the winter. This initiative underscores the inexhaustible appeal of Maspalomas and its surrounding areas as a winter destination, consolidating a market niche with a growing demand for direct connections.
Murray Travel's decision to venture into charter flights responds to the "demand for regional departures" that, according to Scott Murray, co-director of the agency, has grown exponentially. The reduction in the price of aircraft charters, which was "ridiculous during COVID-19," has opened up new opportunities for this type of operation. For the south of Gran Canaria, this is excellent news. The first charter service to the island will depart on February 17, using an Airbus A220 with capacity for 149 passengers. Flights will operate on Tuesdays for five weeks, ensuring a steady flow of Scottish visitors directly to the beaches of Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés, and to the charms of towns like Mogán.
Scott Murray emphasizes that "people really want direct flights from Inverness," a city that currently only has one direct flight to Mallorca. Murray Travel's ambitions are high: "If we get 80% occupancy, we would be delighted. Anything higher would be even better," he stated regarding sales expectations for flights to Gran Canaria, which are expected to go on sale in the coming weeks. The arrival of these direct charters is a significant boost for the economy of Maspalomas and the surrounding municipalities. It facilitates accessibility to a key source market such as the British, and in particular, the Scottish, who are looking to escape the cold and wet winter weather to enjoy the sun and the good Canarian climate.
For hotels, apartments, leisure companies, restaurants, and local businesses, these direct flights mean higher occupancy and increased economic activity during the winter months. They also reinforce Gran Canaria's image as an accessible and desirable destination, capable of generating interest even two years in advance, as Murray Travel is already planning more charter flights for 2026 and 2027.
With the recent celebration of its tenth anniversary and a significant expansion with branches in Inverness, Elgin, Forres, and Nairn, Murray Travel demonstrates the dynamism of the UK travel industry and its confidence in destinations like ours. The news that trade has been "very active" this year and "hasn't slowed down" bodes well for the tourist influx Maspalomas expects to receive directly from the heart of Scotland.
