Public and commercial bodies in the Highlands are seeking assurances it will still be possible to go to London for a working day once Flybe withdraws from Inverness-to-Gatwick flights next year.
Highland Council leader Drew Hendy has written to low-cost carrier easyJet, which has bought Flybe's landing and taking-off slots at Gatwick for £20 million, requesting an early meeting.
Three of the weekday landing/taking-off slots involved in the sale are for Flybe's Inverness-to-Gatwick route. There are a twice daily slots at the weekends.
There is particular demand to keep those weekday flights leaving Inverness at 7am with the return flight not departing London until 7.20pm, which allows business users a full day in London without the need for an overnight stay.
Mr Hendry, has written to Carolyn McCall, chief executive of easyJet, on behalf of a range of Highland public agencies and business groups to highlight the crucial importance of regular daily flights between Inverness and Gatwick.
In his letter, Mr Hendry says: "Highland Council has, as its top priority, the continued growth of Highland businesses and the wider Highland economy.
"I am sure you will appreciate links to London, continental Europe and worldwide via Gatwick are a vital part of ensuring both."
EasyJet has said it is committed to continuing to provide Inverness with easy and affordable links to London.
It already flies on the route, but its first flight south during the week is not until 1.45pm, arriving at Gatwick at 3.20pm.
It also flies to Luton, leaving at 11.25am.
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