financial constrictions facing Flybe may be the primary cause forcing it to sell its landing and take-off slots at Gatwick Airport but other reasons should not be ignored ("Fears for air link to the Highlands", The Herald, May 24).

Slots at Gatwick, Stansted and Heathrow are valuable commodities, not only for the airlines who own them but for the airport owners, who can earn much larger fees from European and inter-continental flights, whether they are end-destination or interlining flights taking into consideration such factors as size and weight of aircraft and passenger numbers.

While it is most unlikely flights operated by British Airways, within Britain, will be challenged, it would not be a surprise to learn that other regional services into airports in the south-east are "spoken to", to make way for more lucrative services.

I am not suggesting the protestations of the political and business fraternities in the Highlands will be in vain, but perhaps the efforts should be directed into preparing a strategy for services from Scotland's airports.

Mike Dooley,

52 Auchendoon Crescent, Ayr.