North business leaders have welcomed an extra 24,000 seats which will be provided on flights between Inverness and London next summer.
Airline easyJet currently flies daily to Luton and twice a day to Gatwick from the Highlands.
Between March 27 and June 26 next year an extra flight will be provided on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to Luton.
The airline will also operate a third daily flight to Gatwick every Sunday, Monday and Friday.
Stewart Nicol, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s absolutely great news but it’s also a bit disappointing that it’s only for a limited spell.
“I would think there is demand over a more permanent period for this type of flight.
“But on the whole it’s great news and I’m sure the service will be very well used.”
Fraser Grieve, the Highlands regional director of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, said: “This is a great boost for air connectivity between Inverness and London which recognises the passenger demand for this vital air route.
“Access to and through London is hugely important for Highland businesses and these new flights will strengthen that connection and allow more visitors to travel to Inverness and the wider region.”
The airline had trialed running a third flight to Gatwick on Fridays this summer.
Ali Gayward, easyJet’s Scotland boss, said the airline was showing it was “committed” to Inverness with the addition of the extra seats.
Graeme Bell, Inverness Airport general manager, said the increase in capacity was good news for business and leisure travellers, and for local tourism providers.
He said: “”This is a significant expansion by EasyJet into London. It will mean even more choice for business and leisure passengers flying into London or using Luton or Gatwick as connecting hubs.
“The increase in capacity is also good news for Highland tourism providers.
“With a busy calendar of events next summer, including the Scottish Open, the extra flights will bring many more visitors to the region.
“We are delighted at this vote of confidence by easyJet.
“Inverness Airport is enjoying a period of sustained growth and we hope that next summer’s expansion will encourage many more Highlanders to use their local airport.”