Assurances sought on Inverness-Gatwick flights

Flybe's Gatwick take-off and landing slots are to be taken over by Easyjet next March

Highland Council's leader has said that Easyjet has given him an encouraging response to his questions on the future of Inverness-Gatwick flights.

A three-times-a-day service operated by Flybe is in doubt following the airline's decision to sell all of its take-off and landing slots at Gatwick.

Easyjet, which also operates a Gatwick-Inverness service, is set to take over the slots next March in a £20m deal.

Drew Hendry now hopes to set up a meeting with Easyjet boss Hugh Aitken.

There have been concerns that Flybe's sell off will affect the frequency and timings of the Inverness-Gatwick connections.

Mr Hendry wrote to Easyjet. He said that in its response the airline said it was committed to maintaining its current level of service.

In a separate move on the issue, Labour MSP David Stewart said he hoped to raise the matter in the Scottish Parliament later.