Loganair gears up to launch flights in its own right

Scotland’s Loganair has launched its new reservations system for travel from 1 September, when it starts flying in its own right after the conclusion of its franchise agreement with Flybe.  

Passengers can now make on-line bookings directly with Loganair, and the airline has also opened a new Customer Contact Centre at its Glasgow headquarters to facilitate bookings and customer enquiries.  This is manned by a team of 10 newly-recruited advisors.

At the same time, the airline is expanding its route network with the introduction of flights to Fair Isle, the most remote inhabited island in the United Kingdom.  The new twice-weekly flights from Kirkwall will operate on Mondays and Fridays in September and October, with flight prices at £39.99 one-way.   Through the unique co-ordination of Loganair’s extensive route network, it will also be possible to reach the island – population of 60 – from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Inverness, Manchester and Norwich.

The new Videcom reservations system has been specially programmed to accept Air Discount Scheme bookings on-line – a system unique to Scotland – and all bookings from 1 September reflect Loganair’s new policy of abolishing customer surcharges for payments by credit card.

Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair’s managing director said: “Launching our own reservations system today represents an important milestone in our progress to fly solo from 1 September.   I’m really proud of our team for the tremendous work that’s gone into achieving the launch of the system, and am delighted to welcome the new Customer Contact Centre advisors to the Loganair family.”

“At the same time, we’re demonstrating that we truly are Scotland’s Airline by connecting Fair Isle, the country’s most remote island community, to our extensive network.  Fair Isle is a haven for bird watchers and our service through the autumn migratory season will cut hours from current journey times.  It will be possible to leave Manchester or Edinburgh after breakfast and arrive in Fair Isle by lunchtime – quite impossible today.”

“Our new reservations system and Customer Contact Centre will bring all of these options and many more besides to our customers. Whether flying from Aberdeen to Kirkwall, Glasgow to Stornoway, Norwich to Wick, Leeds Bradford to Islay or Manchester to Barra, the new Loganair booking options are now available for our customers to plan their travel.”

The Loganair website will remain at www.loganair.co.uk and Loganair’s existing customer contact number, 0344 800 2855, will remain in place for all customer calls.

For flights up to 31 August 2017, customers should continue to book via www.flybe.com or www.flybe.com/ads for all services except for Loganair’s Orkney inter-isles air services, which will shortly be added to the new Loganair website.

The airline is also planning to set-up Facebook and Twitter channels to provide updates on operational issues, act as a marketing platform and allow passengers to contact its customer services team.