Loganair chief prepares for flying solo

Loganair’s plans for life after Flybe are to be discussed at a meeting of ZetTrans on Thursday, attended by the airline’s managing director.

Jonathon Hinkles will address a number of areas of concern for locals flying from Sumburgh after the termination of Lognair’s franchise agreement with Flybe comes into effect at the end of August.

He will discuss, with members of the committee, topics such as a new reservations system, the airline’s social media presence and its broad strategy for operating as an independent carrier. Mr Hinkles will also address the airline’s customer service ambitions and travel policies.

The meeting, to be held at the Islesburgh Community Centre on Thursday afternoon, is also being billed as an opportunity for the local community to ask questions or raise any matters linked to operations after 31st August.

Mr Hinkles said: “Engaging with the local community is a key area of priority for the airline as we move forward at a rapid pace. As we enter into this next phase of our partnership agreement plan to set out a comprehensive vision of how we are undergoing our separation from Flybe and I’m pleased to include our key communities in the process.

“We are currently putting the finishing touches to our blueprint with a lot of exciting developments in the pipeline – with many new initiatives to unveil.

“This is a major opportunity for the airline and I really look forward to giving our customers an insight in some of the great things we will be rolling out in the future.”

Mr Hinkles will also be travelling to Kirkwall and Stornoway as part of his island tour.