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Loganair has announced it is to launch jet services on two key routes from Aberdeen Airport this autumn, becoming the airport’s largest operator both by number of flights and destinations served.
Scotland’s Airline will introduce up to three non-stop weekday services to Newcastle and up to three non-stop weekday services to Norwich from September 1. Non-stop Sunday services will also be offered on both routes.
Loganair is responding to market dissatisfaction around Eastern Airways’ inability to deliver a reliable air service for customers in the North East. UK Civil Aviation Authority data clearly sets out its rival’s performance on the Aberdeen to Newcastle route, where almost a quarter of flights in 2018 were cancelled and only 65.5% departed on time (within 15 minutes of scheduled departure).
Lead-in fares between Aberdeen and Newcastle are on sale for £69.99, while tickets to Norwich are currently on sale from £74.99 – which can cost up to £54 more on a roundtrip with the current airline operating the routes.
Loganair already has strong operational bases in both Aberdeen and Norwich – a route which can be served with a strong level of resilience due to the availability of aircraft and engineering support at both ends – making the routes a natural fit in the Loganair network. The new Loganair service will also offer early morning northbound flights from Norwich and later evening return flights from Aberdeen heading south.
Both England’s North East and the Norfolk region have thriving energy sectors with close business links to Aberdeen. Subsequently, the routes are extremely popular with Oil and Gas workers who require dependable flights to get them to/from offshore rigs in the North Sea.
Loganair’s operational performance in 2018, as published by the CAA, highlights the airline’s commitment and ability to deliver reliable and punctual services – ranked 2nd in the UK punctuality statistics with 82.3% of flights arriving within 15 minutes. On-time performance will be a key contributor to the success of these new services, and Loganair is confident customers will recognise its record in delivering punctual services and support the airline’s new venture.
The new services will also offer secured connections via Loganair’s Aberdeen hub to and from Orkney, Shetland, Oslo and Esbjerg.
The airline has unique offerings for oil and gas workers, with special flexible fares for Vantage Card-registered oil and gas employees, providing one free of charge change on return journeys by up to two days, enabling the option of either an earlier or later flight home – flexibility often required due to changing offshore weather forecasts and business needs.
With one of the most generous complimentary luggage allowances, inflight hospitality offering and frequent flyer programmes of any UK carrier, Loganair is confident that its competitive offering will be popular with customers flying between the three destinations and onwards via the Aberdeen hub.
Kay Ryan, Loganair’s Commercial Director said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer more choice to travellers between Aberdeen, Newcastle and Norwich. Data concerning the current operator’s reliability between Aberdeen and Newcastle has been rather poor, which is frustrating for customers given the importance of reliability on this route.
“Loganair is immensely proud to sit amongst the top of the league for large UK airlines’ on-time performance, with 82% of services departing within 15 minutes of scheduled departure in 2018. Together with our rewarding Clan Loganair frequent flyer programme, we’re confident this will be welcome news to regular travellers and businesses in the region that depend on these air services.
“The schedule is constructed to offer maximum flexibility for those businesses and the offshore oil and gas industry and we’re looking forward to strengthening our network for the benefit of our customers”.
Steve Szalay, Managing Director Aberdeen International Airport said: “Newcastle and Norwich share a common link with the energy sector and we welcome Loganair’s new services to both cities.
“Regional connectivity is the bloodline of our business and we’re pleased these services will kick off in September, just as we provide the final lick of paint to our £20 million terminal upgrade project.”
Reservations can be made at www.loganair.co.uk, by calling Loganair’s Customer Contact Centre on 0344 800 2855 or via travel agents and travel management companies using all major Global Distribution Systems.
