New routes added as Loganair reveals summer schedule
Loganair has revealed more about its plans for next year following the news that it will sever ties with Flybe.
There will be an expanded schedule of flights to and from Sumburgh as part of the shake-up which
Loganair managing director Jonathan Hinkles says is a “statement of intent”. It comes after the airline announced on Monday that it will no longer operate under the Flybe franchise.
The summer flights have been revealed as Loganair prepares for the services to go on sale.
There will be a second weekly flight between Sumburgh and Bergen and air links with the Faroe Islands will be reinstated. Loganair says there will also be more seats on flights to Glasgow and new same-plane services linking Sumburgh to Manchester.
Flights to Bergen will operate for an extended period, from 13th May 13 until 2nd September. In addition to its existing Saturday flight, the second direct service will be on Tuesdays, between these dates.
The Faroese link will be a one-stop service to Vagar in Faroe. Flights will operate on Fridays and Sundays beginning on 26th May and will have a short stop at Aberdeen, where customers will clear customs and immigration. The journey time will be about three and a half hours.
Initially, the plan is for this service to run until September, but the airline intends to monitor demand and could roll out a year-round service to Vagar.
Services to Glasgow are being increased with the larger 50-seat Saab 2000 aircraft on seven of the 11 weekly round trips.
One of those daily services will continue to Manchester on a “single flight-number” service that will cut the journey time between Shetland and the northwest of England.
The entire journey will take just over three hours and Loganair says ADS members will qualify for reductions on those flights.
‘Punctuality and reliability ‘
Mr Hinkles said: “Our expansion for 2017 is carefully designed to expand the range of services and number of seats on offer at Sumburgh while continuing to build on the significant improvements in punctuality and reliability that we’ve achieved in recent months.
“I’m delighted to be announcing more flights to Bergen and adding new convenient links for Shetland to the Faroe Islands and Manchester.
“The summer schedule is also a very clear statement of intent of our commitment to Shetland as we announce our transition from the Flybe franchise arrangements to become an independent operator from 1st September. As Scotland’s airline, Loganair is strengthening its network and adding more seats and more flights than ever before and we’re looking forward to a bright future.”
Henry Condy
I read with interest , the new routes for Loganair/ Flybe , booked a return flight for the 19th November/ returning 8th November price £118. I moved down south in September, but was told ” No worries you can change your flight dates ” I tried this week , only to be told ” fine but that will be another £107 ” ,I asked how much is a new ticket , £103 but with VAT etc that will be £147. I was coming up for Up Helly Aa but loganair / Flybe has cheated me of this family reunion, ( with the original ticket plus change of flight £107 , total £225 ) loganair your treatment of your Shetland passengers is a disgrace , you do the islanders no favours, I only hope Ryanair will fly this route , I know whom I would choose, Ps I am flying to Rome from Edinburgh, 21st January for £60 return. Tenerife return £150 , I am so angry with Loganair / Flybe at their complete disregard for their customers, it’s like we have your money , so pay the extra or move along.