Scotland’s regional airline, Loganair recently announced a major expansion programme at Edinburgh Airport for its summer 2019 schedule. Named last month as European Regional Airline of the Year, Loganair will introduce not one, not two, not three, but four new routes from Edinburgh.
The carrier will launch regular year-round services to the Norwegian cities of Bergen and Stavanger; to the island of Islay; and a seasonal link between Edinburgh and Guernsey. The news has been welcomed by the Aviation Director at Edinburgh Airport Jonathan Rayner, who said: “Expanding Loganair’s presence at Scotland’s busiest airport is great news for passengers as it provides greater choice and travel options, something we are always keen to add at Edinburgh Airport. This expansion will also provide the opportunity to build business links in Norway as well as appeal to those looking for a leisurely break and we’re excited to see these routes develop.”
Stavanger will become Loganair’s second destination in Norway with four flights each week from Edinburgh, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Flights from Edinburgh to Bergen – the Gateway to the Fjords – will operate three times each week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Both Bergen and Stavanger will be operated by the airline’s newly acquired 37-seat Embraer 135 jet, the latest addition to its fleet of 30 aircraft. Jasper Spruit, Avinor’s Vice President of Traffic Development said: “It’s fantastic to see Loganair going from strength-to-strength in the all-important market between Norway and Scotland, which includes the airline’s first operations to Stavanger. For the Norwegian regions, good connectivity is extremely important for trade and business.”
The new service from Edinburgh to Guernsey will operate on Saturdays from 11th May to 14th September. Guernsey Airport’s Head of Aviation Services Ash Nicholas said: “Guernsey Airport is delighted with Loganair’s launch of the Guernsey to Edinburgh route for 2019, which compliments the existing Glasgow to Guernsey service. These services now give people in Central Scotland direct access to Guernsey, during the spring and summer seasons. We also know there is demand in Guernsey for direct access to Scotland and these routes aim to capture that traffic. We look forward to helping Loganair develop its presence in Guernsey for 2019 and beyond.” Loganair will also operate the Embraer 135 jet on this route.
A 34-seat Saab 340 will fly the Edinburgh to Islay route – the capital city’s first ever scheduled air link to the Inner Hebrides. The service will commence on 25th March and will operate daily, offering new links from Edinburgh to the “Queen of the Hebrides”, which is experiencing significant growth in tourism and business following the opening of new hotels and growth in the golfing and spirits distillery sectors.
In addition to the new routes for next year, Loganair also plans to increase the frequency of flights between Edinburgh and the Isle of Man, adding an extra service on Wednesdays throughout the summer, plus a Saturday flight during the iconic TT race weeks in May and June. There will also be an improved schedule to and from the Isle of Man on Fridays and Sundays, with evening flights ideal for weekend breaks and those commuting for work.
Jonathan Hinkles, managing director of Loganair said: “I’m delighted to launch four brand new routes from Scotland’s capital, significantly expanding our presence at Edinburgh. It marks the first phase of our Summer 2019 schedule announcements, and we expect to make more in the coming months across our network. We know that Stavanger and Bergen will be of interest to both the leisure and corporate customer and have no doubt that both Islay and Guernsey will prove very popular to people looking for a holiday in these beautiful destinations.”
(Images Loganair)
