The Brussels route is scheduled to start on 2nd September with an early morning and afternoon rotation to Brussels between Monday and Thursday as well as afternoon services on Friday and Sunday.
The flights will be operated by a 49-seat Embraer 145 jet aircraft, enjoying a flight-time of only 70 minutes and will offer a convenient gateway to Belgium’s capital city. Loganair says the timetable has been created to enable a full day’s business on the continent, departing at 06:50 before returning to the UK via a well-timed 19:00 service.
Previously the route was flown by the same aircraft, operated by flybmi, a sister airline of Loganair, also owned by Airline Investments Limited, which collapsed leaving hundreds stranded and debts of over £37 million, including over £3 million due in compensation to passengers for late and cancelled flights. Flybmi's aircraft and lucrative airport slots were transferred to Loganair to avoid them being sold by the administrators to pay some of the Flybmi creditors, which are likely to see less than 1% or what they are owed.
The loss-making Loganair, will also provide six flights per week between East Midlands and Inverness, in the North East of Scotland.
Jonathan Hinkles, managing director of Loganair said: “I am extremely pleased to announce the expansion of our route map while also beginning passenger services from East Midlands Airport. Both of these convenient airlinks will benefit the overall region, connecting with Belgium’s largest city – home to thousands of multinational businesses while Scotland’s highlands are now just over 90minutes away”
Inverness Airport General Manager Graeme Bell said: “This is excellent news for Inverness and the Highlands as Loganair’s service will enable passengers to quickly access England’s industrial heartland developing business opportunities or exploring the considerable leisure options in Midlands and the nearby Peak District. It also makes our region more accessible to English visitors keen to discover all that the north of Scotland has to offer.”
Karen Smart, East Midlands Airport’s Managing Director, says: “We’re delighted to welcome a new airline to EMA. This is fantastic news for passengers who will have new routes to choose from. This is also important for the region as it enhances the connectivity between the East Midlands, mainland Europe and Scotland. Whether its business or leisure, Brussels is a key destination and is ideally situated for ongoing global travel throughout Europe and globally by air from Brussels airport. A direct service to the North East of Scotland brings the stunning Highlands within easy reach of passengers from the East Midlands. We look forward to nurturing our relationship with Loganair to enable them to grow their operation with us.”
Director Aviation Development at Brussels Airport, Léon Verhallen said: “We are delighted that Loganair will restore flights to East-Midlands with up to two daily flights, including a convenient connection from and to Inverness, a city without direct services to Brussels. It will offer convenient connections to cities such as Leicester, Derby and Nottingham for business travel and attractive city-trips. Loganair is establishing itself as a key regional airline at Brussels Airport with a growing number of flights to the UK.”
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