Loganair, Scotland’s airline, today (January 14) announced it will become the first Flybe franchise partner, in a move that will deliver more UK and European flight connections to Scots air passengers.
The deal, which comes into force in October, creates a unique and exciting new franchise arrangement between two of Scotland’s best known airlines and offers passengers of both companies an expanded route network and greater connections. 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.
Flybe, which services Scotland’s four major airports, is Europe’s largest regional airline, carrying over 7 million passengers in 2007.
The franchise agreement launches on 26th October, the day after Loganair’s current franchise deal with British Airways concludes. Tickets for travel after this date will be on sale through www.flybe.com from June.
Loganair will also have in place a Codeshare Agreement with British Airways, allowing passengers to travel on BA flight numbers when connecting with British Airways flights through Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Loganair’s chairman Scott Grier said: “This is an exciting time for everyone at Loganair and a significant step for the company. The move to become a franchise partner with Flybe provides a certain future for the company.
“The air service networks of both airlines are complementary and this deal will give our customers a greater choice of UK and European connections.”
Flybe’s chairman and chief executive, Jim French said: “This landmark agreement, the first time a low cost carrier has entered into such a franchise arrangement, is an exciting development in the evolution of the low cost model and one which Flybe sees as a valid strategic option for the future.
“It is also a win-win for both airlines. For Flybe, we will see our presence in the key Scottish market greatly enhanced and will benefit from increased passenger traffic into our existing network. For Loganair, the alliance is a major opportunity to bring the recognised brand of Europe’s largest regional airline and the benefits of the low cost model to hundreds of thousands of passengers.”
The Air Discount Scheme, which gives residents of Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles, Islay, Jura, Caithness and North West Sutherland a 40% discount on the price of core fares, remains unaffected by this announcement.
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