Loganair introduces Aberdeen jet service from Newcastle

Loganair has announced it is to commence services from Newcastle to Aberdeen this autumn.

Scotland’s Airline is set to introduce up to three services each weekday to the Granite City from September 1, together with a Sunday evening service, all flown by Embraer Regional Jet aircraft.

Loganair is responding to market dissatisfaction around Eastern Airways’ inability to deliver a reliable air service for customers in the North East.  UK Civil Aviation Authority data clearly sets out its rival’s performance on the Aberdeen to Newcastle route, where almost a quarter of flights in 2018 were cancelled and only 65.5% departed on time (within 15 minutes of scheduled departure).

Fares on the new Aberdeen service will start from £69.99 one-way and every Loganair fare includes a complimentary checked baggage allowance – which can cost up to £54 more on a roundtrip with the current airline operating the routes.

Loganair recently opened an operating base at Newcastle, introducing jet services to the Norwegian city of Stavanger and Europe’s administrative centre, Brussels, in early March.  The introduction of services to Aberdeen will create 15 further jobs at Newcastle and provide scope for the airline to further expand to other new routes over the next 12 months.

The North East’s thriving energy sector already has close ties to Aberdeen, not least through commuting offshore workers who require dependable flights to meet their transfer flights to offshore oil and gas installations.

Loganair’s operational performance in 2018, as published by the CAA, highlights the airline’s commitment and ability to deliver reliable and punctual services –ranked 2nd in the UK punctuality statistics with 82.3% of flights arriving within 15 minutes. On time performance will be a key contributor to the success of these new services, and Loganair is confident customers will recognise its record in delivering punctual services and support the airline’s new venture.

The new services will also offer secured connections via Loganair’s Aberdeen hub from Newcastle to Orkney, Shetland, Esbjerg and Oslo – all served non-stop by Loganair.

The airline has unique offerings for oil and gas workers, with special flexible fares for Vantage Card registered oil and gas employees, providing one free of charge change on return journeys by up to two days, enabling the option of either an earlier or later flight home – flexibility often required due to changing offshore weather conditions and business needs.

With one of the most generous complimentary luggage allowances, inflight hospitality offering and frequent flyer programmes of any UK carrier, Loganair is confident that its competitive offering will be popular with customers flying between the three destinations and onwards via the Aberdeen hub.

Kay Ryan, Loganair’s Commercial Director said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer more choice to travellers between Newcastle and Aberdeen. Data concerning the current operator’s reliability on the route has been rather poor, which is frustrating for customers given the importance of reliability.

“Loganair is immensely proud to sit amongst the top of the league for large UK airlines’ on-time performance, with 82% of services departing within 15 minutes of scheduled departure in 2018. Together with our rewarding Clan Loganair frequent flyer programme, we’re confident this will be welcome news to regular travellers and businesses in the region that depend on these air services.

“The schedule is constructed to offer maximum flexibility for those businesses and the offshore oil and gas industry and we’re looking forward to strengthening our network for the benefit of our customers.”

Reservations can be made at www.loganair.co.uk, by calling Loganair’s Customer Contact Centre on 0344 800 2855 or via travel agents and travel management companies using all major Global Distribution Systems.