Regional airline Eastern Airways will start serving Aberdeen from Wick John O’Groats Airport from April 11.
The new service will operate up to twice daily each way on weekdays and Sundays from April 11, with one-way fares from £39.99.
The flight schedule has been designed to offer domestic and international connections at Aberdeen.
Eastern Airways general manager Roger Hage said: “This is a welcome return to the UK’s most northerly mainland airport for Eastern Airways, having served Wick John O’Groats between 2001 to 2019.”
Transport minister Jenny Gilruth said: “I welcome the announcement of the award of this contract which will see the restoration of important connectivity for Caithness.
“This service will benefit business travellers and provide visitors with a direct route to experience all that Caithness can offer.
“The Scottish government is committed to supporting the service both through our direct contribution to the cost of the flights and our ongoing subsidy of Wick John O’Groats Airport.”
Councillor Margaret Davidson, leader of the Highland Council, added: “This is terrific news not just for Caithness but for the whole Highlands.
“As a council we could not have afforded to cover the costs of the service ourselves, so we are very grateful and thank the Scottish government and NDA [Nuclear De-Commissioning Authority] for their help.”
Adam Wheatley, the airline’s managing director, said: “Working in partnership with The Highland Council, Transport Scotland and key regional stakeholders, connecting again one of the most distant surface transport journeys in Scotland to the hub airport of Aberdeen, in a low-emission aircraft fits our belief in how sustainable aviation can meet the need of the UK economy and extensive connectivity into the future.
“We welcome the approach taken by all stakeholders and partners to bring this Wick John O’Groats to Aberdeen air service back. Eastern Airways will support the Caithness & North Sutherland community in wider accessibility, also adding around 20 new direct and indirect jobs in supporting the service.”