CHARTER flights from Switzerland's largest city to Inverness are to begin this year, generating a potential inbound tourism boost worth almost £1 million for the local economy.
Swiss based Falcon Travel will operate weekly charter flights from Zurich to the Highland Capital from May.
The route will be served by a 100 seat Fokker 100 aircraft, which will operate into Inverness for 15 weeks from May until August. The service will also return in 2016 and 2017.
The holiday company previously operated a weekly summer charter flight between the two cities from 2010 until 2012.
Flights will operate one way, with no outbound service from Inverness to Zurich.
Zurich is a major world financial centre, home to some of the world's biggest financial and banking institutions, and Swiss visitors are traditionally high spenders.
Swiss tourists to Scotland in 2013 spent a total of £31 million, according to Visit Scotland.
Graeme Bell, Inverness Airport General Manager, said: "The return of flights from Zurich to Inverness is a significant boost to the city's tourism industry. We anticipate the new service will generate almost £1 million for the sector. That's fantastic news for hotels, restaurants and visitor attractions across Inverness and the Highlands.
"We are delighted that Falcon Travel have committed to operate this service for three years."
Janine Hunziker, of Falcon Travel, said: "We are excited about the prospect of returning to Inverness this year. Inverness is a well known destination to our Swiss customers and we therefore expect a successful booking season."
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