Loganair celebrates 50 years of island flights with passenger surprises
Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, celebrated 50 years of service to Barra and Tiree by surprising loyal passengers with complementary flight vouchers.
Stewart Howat and Janis MacArthur, passengers travelling from Glasgow to Barra and Tiree respectively, were surprised with complimentary ticket vouchers for future travel to celebrate half a century of connecting the islands with the mainland.
Stewart, who lives on the island with his family, frequently uses Loganair’s service to travel for work and appointments, making him a familiar face on the route, which is famous for its unique beach landing on Barra.
Originally from mainland Scotland, Stewart moved to Barra six years ago with his wife, who is from the island, and their two children. As a construction worker currently involved in building a wind farm off the east coast of the United States, he relies on Loganair’s flights for quick and convenient travel to the mainland for onward travel to work.
Stewart said:
“It was a real surprise to be chosen as the recipient of the flight vouchers today. Loganair has been a great help in balancing work commitments and family life. I usually travel for work, but I’d love to use the vouchers to take a trip somewhere special with my family.”
Janis, originally from Oban but now living in Tiree, was travelling to attend a family wedding accompanied by her husband, Ian, and her 89-year-old mother-in-law, Duncanina MacArthur. Janis and Ian have been using the Loganair service regularly for years, with Ian previously flying frequently for business until his retirement. The service has been a vital link for the family, providing connectivity for everything from family visits to essential hospital appointments.
She said:
“It was a wonderful surprise to receive the ticket vouchers today. Living on an island, we rely on Loganair to visit family and manage our appointments. We use the service almost every couple of months, and it’s been a constant presence in our lives since moving back to Tiree.”
Since these routes launched in 1974, Loganair has provided a vital lifeline for Tiree and Barra’s residents and visitors alike. Regular flights between the islands and mainland ensure year-round connectivity, supporting everything from essential travel for healthcare and education to enabling business growth and tourism.
Michael Galbraith, Barra Airport manager, said:
“This is an incredible milestone for Loganair at our unique airport, where the runway disappears beneath the tide twice a day. The daily Glasgow service is a lifeline for the island, supporting both our community and the growing number of visitors. The strength of our relationship with Loganair over the years has been key to the continued success of this vital link.”
Philip Knowles, Tiree Airport manager, said:
“As Loganair celebrates 50 years of serving Tiree, we are proud to recognise the importance of this connection to the mainland. These flights provide an essential service for our island, not just for residents but also for tourism, which is critical to our local economy. We look forward to many more years of working in partnership with Loganair to keep this lifeline thriving.”
Mark Beveridge, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said:
"Glasgow Airport is delighted to celebrate Loganair's remarkable 50th anniversary of serving Barra and Tiree. This milestone not only highlights Loganair’s enduring commitment to connecting remote communities but also underscores the special relationship between these iconic destinations and Glasgow Airport.
We are proud to support Loganair in marking this significant achievement and to recognise the invaluable service they provide to customers, ensuring these vital air links continue to flourish for decades to come."
Loganair flies daily to Glasgow from Barra and Tiree. All Loganair flights include a 15kg luggage allowance as standard, and advanced booking is encouraged to benefit from the best value fares.
For more information on Loganair services and to book, visit loganair.co.uk. Frequent Loganair customers can also take advantage of the airline’s loyalty programme, Clan Loganair.
