British Airways' announcement that it intends to sell its subsidiary BA Connect to Flybe should have no impact on the airline's service between Inverness and London Gatwick.

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited has today received assurances from Flybe that BA Connect's current Inverness operation forms part of its plans going forward. BA Connect currently operates 21 return flights a week between Inverness and London.

Inglis Lyon, managing director of HIAL said: "Flybe recognises that there is a strong route between Inverness and Gatwick which carried almost 140,000 passengers last year and we have received assurances from them that it is a service they want to build on.

"We therefore see this development as an exciting opportunity for the Highlands and are keen to work with Flybe to achieve further route development with the low fares airline at Inverness."

Flybe confirmed that it would start its first operation at Inverness in September this year. It will start operating flights between Inverness and Belfast City in mid-December.