Flybe has announced two new routes connecting Scotland and Heathrow.

The regional airline revealed it will next year offer a choice of more than 40 flights a week from Aberdeen and Edinburgh to the London airport.

The new routes complement Flybe's established London City flights from the two Scottish airports.

Flybe will operate the slots which became available as a result of commitments required by the European Commission following the acquisition of BMI by International Consolidated Airlines Group.

It is not required to pay to use the slots, other than meet Heathrow landing and passenger charges.

The airline will be using Heathrow's Terminal 2 and flights have been timed for both business and leisure travel and fares are from £39.99 one way including taxes and charges.

This route expansion means that, with effect from March 26, 2017, Flybe will offer up to 18 flights a day between London and Edinburgh, and ten between London and Aberdeen.

Flybe executive chairman Simon Laffin said: "We are delighted to announce our first flights to London Heathrow, significantly enhancing our UK domestic route network and offering even better links between Scotland and London.

"The new routes to Heathrow complement the existing ones we operate to London City, and will benefit our business customers and customers in Scotland who want to connect with our long haul codeshare partners.

"Flybe is the leading airline serving UK domestic passengers and these new services position us well to serve our passengers in both Scotland and the South East."

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: "Improving the connections into Heathrow from all around the UK will be vital in helping to secure the economic future of communities in every corner of the nation.

"Today's announcement shows that the measures we're introducing, such as the £10 reduction on domestic passenger charges, are already working to secure vital links.

"More airlines flying routes to Scottish airports means more flights, more competition and choice for families, and more visitors to Scotland."

Economy minister Keith Brown, said: "This is very welcome news and encouraging evidence that the reduced passenger charges we pushed for, and which are covered in our memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Heathrow Airport, are starting to have a real impact on services.

"Over time, we fully expect this and other elements of the MoU to bring about further improvements in Scotland's connections to Heathrow and beyond.

"We spoke to a number of airlines to highlight the opportunities which these remedy slots bring. By taking them up, Flybe brings competition back to the routes from Heathrow to Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

"This can only be a good thing for passengers between Scotland and London. It's also good news for Edinburgh and Aberdeen Airports too, in terms of the choice they can offer their customers."

"We will work with both Flybe and Heathrow to make sure these services are a success and I look forward to the flights taking off next year."