Holidaymakers in the Highlands and Islands have more options than ever before this year when it comes to flying to the sun from Inverness Airport.

Holiday companies Transun and Thomson are both offering direct flights to Mediterranean holiday destinations from Inverness this year, starting at the end of March and running through the season until October.

Transun, which has operated an expanding programme of flights and holiday accommodation from Inverness in recent years, has destinations including Malta, Naples, Sardinia, Madeira and Portugal in its 2004 programme.

For full details of Transun holidays ring 0870 444 4747, visit www.transun.co.uk or contact your local travel agent.

Thomson, who will operate from Inverness for the first time this year, will offer flights and accommodation packages to Ibiza, Majorca and Lanzarote.

For full details of Thomson holidays contact Alba Travel on 01463 239188 or visit the www.thomsonholidays.co.uk website.

Inverness will also receive a series of inbound holiday charters from Switzerland operated by Falcon Travel.

Inverness Airport manager James Walton said: “The choice available to holidaymakers in the area wishing to fly direct from Inverness is greater than ever before. Transun and Thomson are offering a range of destinations this year and we are delighted that the holiday charter market at Inverness is expanding.

“The direct flights from Inverness to Stockholm with no-frills Swedish airline Snowflake will also be attractive to people wanting to visit Sweden or take advantage of the good onward travel opportunities from Arlanda Airport to a host of international destinations.”

Alex Johnson, Commercial and Marketing Manager at HIAL added: “Inverness now offers a host of scheduled and holiday charter flight services which is good news for the people of the region. If you are looking for some summer sunshine you can now start your journey close to home and fly direct without the hassle of getting to airports in the Central Belt before your holiday can start.”

ENDS