GLASGOW — Scotland is getting its own national airline next year after nearly a quarter century of flying under franchise agreements with other airlines.
Glasgow-based Loganair announced last week that it will operate flights starting Sept. 1, 2017, once again flying under its own name and giving Scotland a definitive identity in the skies.
It will provide over 1,000 flights each week across 46 routes, and offer connectivity for Scotland and operations stretching as far afield as London, Norwich, Manchester, Dublin and Bergen in Norway. It has almost 300 flights each week to and from Glasgow, and is the largest operator at key airports throughout the Highlands & Islands, including Inverness, Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Stornoway.
Its extensive network also includes the world famous ‘times subject to tide’ operations to the beach airport at Barra, and the world’s shortest scheduled flight linking the Orkney islands of Westray and Papa Westray with daily flights taking only two minutes.
Scotland’s Airline has operated its services under franchise agreements with British Airways from 1993 to 2007, and later with Flybe from 2007. The current franchise arrangement with Flybe will conclude on Aug. 31, 2017, although the two parties are discussing potential opportunities to work together in the future.
Loganair’s longstanding codeshare arrangement with British Airways will also continue, allowing customers to make a single booking for a journey from points throughout the Highlands and Islands to London and onwards.
“Although Loganair has flown as a franchise carrier for larger airlines over the last 24 years, there is still a huge level of recognition and affinity for the Loganair name throughout Scotland and beyond,” said Peter Simpson, Chief Executive of Airline Investments Ltd, Loganair’s parent company. “We believe the time is right for Scotland’s Airline to now spread its wings once again, and are delighted to be introducing a bold new corporate identity to accompany this important move.”
The transition will take place on Sept. 1, 2017. Loganair will establish its own reservations system by March 2017 for flights on and after that date via loganair.co.uk and will continue to take bookings via key travel agents and partner airlines in future.