A new charter flight service linking the Highlands and Islands with Switzerland is to begin flying to Inverness Airport from next year. Assisted by funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) over the course of three years, Falcontravel/MTCH-AG will be running a once-weekly service between Zurich and Inverness. The service for 2010 will run between 15 May and 18 September.

Flights between Zurich and Inverness will operate on Saturdays with a 100 seat aircraft bringing a capacity of up to 2,000 visitors per year to the area. Falcontravel is part of the largest distribution network of travel agencies in Switzerland and recognised as the leading travel specialist for Great Britain. It works with over 1,400 major travel agents and has over 70,000 subscribers to its regular newsletter.

Falcontravel will sell package holidays from budget holidays through to luxury breaks. The Scottish Highlands and Islands are of great importance to their Great Britain offering and suggested itineraries include both mainland and island destinations, including the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland.

Speaking at the Tourism Awards, First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This is great news for the Highlands and Islands which can provide a welcome boost to leisure, tourism, retail and other sectors across the regions.

"The Scottish Highlands and Island have much to offer the world, and will provide a warm welcome to visitors from Switzerland.  Those flying in from Zurich can look forward to fantastic scenery and wildlife, adventure sports, historic buildings and festivals right across the region.

"And above all else, what awaits them is an excellent visitor experience and a warm Scottish welcome from the many dedicated individuals and businesses across the region."

Alex Paterson, head of regional competitiveness at HIE, said: "Tourism is a priority sector for HIE and the addition of a further Charter flight from Europe to Inverness is a welcome boost to the industry in the Highlands and Islands. Securing the link between Inverness and Zurich is another excellent example of how good partnership working can help develop new services, making an invaluable contribution to the ongoing economic growth of the region."

Inglis Lyon, managing director of HIAL, said: "Highlands and Islands Airports are delighted to be able to add Zurich to its inbound Charter routes for 2010 after working very closely with Falcontravel and HIE to secure the contract.  It is a new and exciting development for the portfolio of routes coming into Inverness during the summer months and we are looking forward to welcoming all our new Swiss customers to the Highlands and Islands."