Inverness (INV/EGPE) Private Jet

The Scottish Highlands' Principal Charter Gateway Between the North Sea and the Atlantic Seaboard

Inverness Airport sits at the northern apex of Scotland's private aviation network, feeding traffic into a region where road distances make air access the only viable executive option — Inverness itself is 155 miles from Edinburgh by road, and the major Highland estates are a further 30–90 minutes by vehicle. The catchment covers Sutherland, Ross-shire, Speyside, and the entire Great Glen corridor, including Loch Ness and Gleneagulls-adjacent sporting estates. Corporate traffic connects with offshore energy operations in the Moray Firth and North Sea, alongside a seasonal high of leisure charters for grouse season (August–October) and Highland stalking.

Operational Profile

The single asphalt runway (06/24) extends to 1,888m (approximately 7,218 ft), comfortably accommodating the midsize segment — Challenger 350, Citation XLS+, Learjet 75 — under standard ISA conditions at field elevation of 31 ft. Ultra-long-range heavy jets can operate with appropriate fuel and payload planning, though the apron geometry and taxiway layout favour midsize and super-midsize movements. Operating hours are not H24; the airport operates on published schedules and extended-hours PPR must be confirmed directly with the airfield — last-minute late-night or pre-dawn block-in times require prior arrangement with ATC and handling, and surcharges apply. Slot coordination is not required in the commercial sense, but GA movements should be notified in advance during peak sporting season when apron capacity is constrained.

Transfers & Connections

The airport sits 10 km east of Inverness city centre via the A96, with a transfer time of approximately 12–15 minutes under normal traffic conditions. Chauffeured transfers to Castle Stuart, Grantown-on-Spey, or Aviemore run 25–45 minutes. Inverness is the natural staging hub for rotary-wing onward movements to remote Highland estates where fixed-wing landing strips are either private or unlicensed — confirm helicopter availability on the same trip in advance. Edinburgh Airport serves as the primary southern Scottish alternative for heavy jets requiring longer runway performance, while Glasgow covers the western Central Belt. For London connections and transatlantic routing, Farnborough and London Luton are common pairing airports on the same itinerary. Inverness also connects regionally with United Kingdom charter routes operating across Scotland's island and peninsula network.

Handling & Customs

General aviation handling at INV is provided through the airport's resident ground handler under the Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) framework. A dedicated GA facility is available with crew rest and basic passenger lounge access; the operation is functional rather than FBO-grade in the Signature or Jetex sense, though crew and passenger needs are met on request including catering coordination and fuel uplift (AVGAS and Jet A-1 available). Customs clearance is available on-site, making INV a valid international entry point — this is operationally relevant for flights arriving from European or Atlantic departure points. Confirm customs availability against current published hours, as outside standard operating windows prior arrangement is mandatory. Aircraft parking is available on hard stand; GPU and ground power access can be requested through the handler.