Net zero airline plan impresses Highland business competition judges
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An ambitious plan to establish Scotland’s first net zero airline to provide affordable and sustainable flights across the Highlands and Islands has taken top prize in a leading competition.
Thomas Eccles from Nethybridge, the founder of FlyHighland Ltd, was named the overall winner of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Business Competition at an awards ceremony at the UHI Inverness campus.
He takes home £1000 and a combined legal and accountancy package having impressed judges with his pitch to be an aviation innovator by operating aircraft using hydrogen propulsion from the airport at Wick.
He was motivated to improve Scottish flight connections after being shocked by the price of a last-minute flight from Shetland.
He intends to work with a leader in aerospace concepts and is in the process of raising funding to purchase aircraft and gain the necessary permissions.
He said: “I am overjoyed that FlyHighland has been awarded the top prize. It’s a tremendous honour to be recognised for our commitment to communities because we’re driven by the stories at the heart of the isolated communities we want to serve, and I’m deeply touched that we’ve been recognised for that.”
The UHI Business Competition encourages enterprise and innovation by supporting people to take their first steps on the road to starting their own businesses.
It has now reached the significant milestone of presenting more than £100,000 in prize money since the competition began in 2006.
