Spanish air tours firm Condor Vacaciones yesterday announced that it intends to add Inverness Airport to its international charter operations next year.

The firm will fly up to 4500 passengers into the Highlands during the summer months. The move could mean soaring profits for the many tourist facilities and destinations in the area.

The planned programme is seen as a boost to the confidence of the region's tourism industry, which employs around 20,000 people.

Condor proposes to fly two 150-seat aircraft from Madrid and Barcelona into Inverness each Sunday over a 15-week period.

Condor's contract manager, Ms Almudena Barderas, said: ''The benefits of this new business will be felt throughout the Highlands.''

The company is launching a new service to Edinburgh from June to October this year.