Bmi will have 150 flights a week from Scotland to Heathrow

Bmi will fly five times on weekdays from Aberdeen beginning on 28 March, in competition with British Airways.

The airline, which is based in the East Midlands, will also launch daily flights from Inverness on the same day.

Announcing the new routes, chief executive Austin Reed said: "The bmi group's presence in Scotland continues to go from strength to strength."

The news of the re-introduction of the Inverness service was welcomed in the Highland capital. BA previously operated the route.

'Significant news'

Alex Johnson, commercial and marketing manager at Highlands and Islands Airports, said: "This is significant news at a time when London slots are under huge pressure and regional airports are in general losing their London access.

"The fact that bmi is opening up a Heathrow route recognises the increasing significance of Inverness as a regional hub airport with enormous growth potential.

"I am sure that this news will be hailed as a great boost for Inverness and the region as a whole.

Other changes will see a new service from Aberdeen to East Midlands airport from 26 January and an extra daily flight to Norwich.

A daily flight from Glasgow to Knock in Ireland will be launched on 15 March.