Loganair

3rd March 2008

Loganair, Scotland’s airline, has today (March 3) announced that it is returning to the airport where it started its first scheduled air services 45 years ago when the airline’s founder, Willie Logan, won the tender to build the Tay Road Bridge.


Under a new franchise agreement with Flybe, Loganair will create an additional base at Dundee Airport and will launch two new routes from Dundee to Birmingham and Belfast.

From May 21, three return weekday flights will be introduced between Dundee and Birmingham, with one return flight on Sunday and there will also be a daily weekday return flight between Dundee and Belfast City Airport, with one return flight on Sunday. Tickets start from £35 one way and are available from www.flybe.com from March 10.

The new routes bring a welcome boost for the region and mark the beginning of an expansion drive that will see Loganair introduce more and new services from the airport in the coming years.

Loganair hopes the new services will meet the growing demands of business travellers, students, tourists and local residents travelling to and from Dundee and the surrounding area.

Announcing the new routes at Dundee Airport Scott Grier, Chairman of Loganair, said: “It is a good feeling to be returning to Dundee where Loganair operated its first scheduled services in 1963.

“These two new routes to Birmingham and Belfast are a welcome addition to the growing network of air services we currently offer travellers in and around Scotland and demonstrate our commitment to providing a first-class service that meets passengers’ needs.

“Establishing a new base in Dundee is an exciting development for us and we look forward to building on today’s announcement in a way that continues to benefit local businesses, residents and tourists alike.”

Loganair’s two new Dundee routes will operate under the Flybe banner ahead of the franchise arrangement between the two companies which starts on 25 October.



Mike Rutter, Flybe Chief Commercial Officer, said: “The new routes from Dundee are a taste of things to come. With Flybe and Loganair working in partnership, Scottish passengers can look forward to increased services, great fares and new routes to destinations that support both business and leisure passengers.”



Today’s announcement follows the high-profile suspension of FlyWhoosh flights from the city in December and has been welcomed by Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick and Dundee East MSP, Minister Shona Robison.



Shona Robison said: “The news that Loganair is moving back to Dundee is not only a fantastic addition to our travel network but a real boost to the local economy. Connecting Dundee to Birmingham and Belfast creates a convenient, affordable travel network between three major UK cities and can only help to attract more business and tourism into the region.”



Joe FitzPatrick said: “Dundee benefits from a prime location in the heart of Scotland and today’s announcement opens the city and region up not only to Northern Ireland and the Midlands but the rest of the UK and Europe in a way that will bring significant benefits to all who live, work and do business here.”



For over 40 years, Loganair has been providing air services throughout the Scottish Highlands and Islands and last year carried more than 500,000 passengers. In January this year Loganair announced a unique franchise deal with Flybe which will come into force in October when the current arrangement with British Airways comes to an end.



Inglis Lyon, managing director of Highlands and Islands Airports, said: “We are delighted to have been able to achieve this development at Dundee in partnership with Loganair. Getting the Birmingham and Belfast routes back with a well established operator is great news for the airport and the city. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for Loganair to establish itself at Dundee as part of its new partnership with Flybe.”

 

 

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