SNP Shadow Transport & Tourism Minister Mr Kenny MacAskill MSP today (Tuesday) called on the First Minister to levy fair charges at Inverness Airport and to stop lecturing Ryanair about paying fair shares.

Publishing a paper that shows Ryanair fly into 58 airports in Europe, from Oslo in the North to Pescara in the South and from Kerry in the West to Graz in the East, Mr MacAskill said the reason for Ryanair not flying into Inverness remains the fact that the First Minister's Airport has the highest landing charges in Europe - despite Inverness being owned by HIAL whose sole shareholder is the First Minster. Mr MacAskill said:

"The economy and the tourism sector in Inverness and the Highlands needs the boost that Ryanair can provide. What is needed is action to get the flights in not lectures about who pays what.

"Ryanair are paying their fair shares at 58 airports from Oslo to Pescara and from Kerry to Graz. What is needed are fair charges at Inverness. That is in the control of the First Minister as it's his airport.

"It's time for him to stop having his employees spinning how much they would like Ryanair in and actually take action to get them flying in.

"The time for excuses is past. There is an aviation debate in Parliament on Wednesday. In that debate we must hear from the First Minster or his Transport colleague that the charges are being lowered and if not, why not.

"It's time for the First Minister to speak out not hide behind HIAL. It's time for him to cut his charges and let Inverness fly high. It's time to release the potential of Inverness Airport."