The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Loganair takes to skies under own identity
Scottish flight operator makes return as standalone airline after decades of flying on behalf of others
Scottish carrier Loganair took to the skies above Dundee under its own identity for the first time in almost a quarter of a century yesterday.
The firm has operated for the past 23 years under codeshare arrangements with other airlines.
However, it has now stepped out of the shadows and begun operating its own schedule across more than 40 routes in the UK, Ireland and Norway.
Among its flights, which will ultimately all be tartan liveried under Loganair’s new brand identity, is the twice daily Dundee to London Stansted commuter route which had previously been flown under Flybe’s banner.
The company has also agreed to work with BMI regional and British Airways to allow passengers to book onwards international travel in a single reservation with Loganair.
Loganair managing director Jonathan Hinkles said it was a “new dawn” for the airline.
He said: “(I’m) very proud of all of the team on a tremendous day for Loganair, and delighted and humbled by the fantastic support for Scotland’s Airline from our customers throughout the Highlands and Islands who are booking with us in record numbers.”
The change came about after Loganair and codeshare partner Flybe agreed to go their separate ways earlier this year.
Flybe will no longer have a presence at Dundee Airport but it will continue to fly from other Scottish destinations.
The group yesterday said it was pleased to see the start of its alliance with Eastern Airways (UK) Limited.
The two companies have signed a joint revenue and risk sharing agreement covering four Eastern aircraft to operate existing Flybe branded routes out of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester.
A separate five-year franchise agreement which will see Eastern operate its scheduled route under the Flybe brand will come into force towards the end of October.
“Flybe is delighted to start operations with our new franchise partner, Eastern Airways,” Flybe chief executive Christine Ourmieres-Widener said.
“The flights, both under the franchise and risk-sharing agreements, demonstrate our long-term commitment to Scotland and provide much needed choice on some of the lifeline routes so critical to the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Flybe and Eastern together also offer a wealth of onward connections to the UK and the rest of the world and we look forward to welcoming passengers on board.”