Easyjet announces increase in flights between Inverness and London Easyjet has announced it will increase the number of its flights from Inverness to London after striking a £20m deal with Flybe. The additional flights will start in spring 2014 as part of a five year deal to extend its existing routes from the Highlands airport. According to the budget airline, the service will include an early morning departure to Gatwick and an evening arrival from Gatwick. Earlier this year, Easyjet agreed to by Flybe's landing slots in Gatwick. Concerns were raised over what potential impacts this could have on the existing three-a-day service. Hugh Aitken, Easyjet's head of Scotland, said: "Easyjet is pleased to confirm that it will introduce an early morning and evening flight between Inverness and London Gatwick as part of a new five year deal agreed with Inverness Airport. This deal demonstrates Easyjet's commitment to Inverness and the Highlands. The new early flight will allow business travellers to reach London in time for meetings while the evening departure from London enables them to travel home on the same day. The additional seats will also help boost tourism to the Highlands. In developing our plans for the future we have listened to all the points made by government and business leaders. Their enthusiasm to work with Easyjet has been clear from the start and we hope this support will continue throughout the new five year partnership. The deal is subject to approval by Flybe shareholders, while Easyjet said it had a number of meetings with Highlands and Islands Airports, Transport Minister Keith Brown and Highland Council, among others, over the move. Under a schedule released on Wednesday, new Easyjet flights would leave Inverness to London at 6.45am, 11.30am and 3.30pm, while flights to the Highland capital from London would leave at 9.30am, 1pm and 8pm. Inglis Lyon, managing director of Highlands and Islands Airports, said: "I am delighted that we have reached agreement with Easyjet on a deal which not only secures access between Inverness and London Gatwick, but also provides a platform for future growth at Inverness Airport. Our priority throughout our discussions with Easyjet was to secure early morning and evening flights between Inverness and Gatwick and the agreement we have reached achieves those twin objectives. This announcement is a major vote of confidence in the Highland economy from one of Europe's largest airlines and we look forward to working with Easyjet, local businesses and the tourism sector to ensure the success of these new services. Transport minister Mr Brown added: "After the uncertainty over the future of connections between Inverness and Gatwick, Easyjet's announcement is fantastic news for the Highlands. This decision will not only secure crucial early and late connections from next March, but will also see capacity on this vital route increase substantially. This is a first class announcement by Easyjet. The Scottish Government and other partners, including Highlands and Islands Airports, have worked hard to secure the future of these slots. Preserving capacity on the route has been a top priority. This announcement will be welcomed across the Highlands and Islands. As well as being great news for local residents this decision reflects the fact that Inverness is an important tourism and business gateway to the Highlands.