Wick Airport

Loganair Increases Flights on Edinburgh to Inverness and Stornoway Routes

Loganair Ltd, British Airways’ the principal flight operator in the Highlands and Islands, has increased its air links from Edinburgh to Inverness and Stornoway.  As a result of the new frequencies it is now possible to travel north from the Scottish capital for a day’s business in either Inverness or Stornoway and return the same day.

The move comes in response to demand from air travellers and forms part of winter schedule changes that now include an earlier Glasgow flight to Inverness, Kirkwall and Sumburgh and an earlier flight from Sumburgh to Edinburgh.

Jim Cameron, chief executive of Loganair said: “The new flights from Edinburgh to Inverness and Stornoway mean that there is, for the first time, a viable day return option for our customers out of Edinburgh. This is a significant improvement to our Scottish network.

“Loganair is the largest operator of air services within Scotland we will continue to develop our business to meet the rising demand for air travel across the country.”

Alex Johnson, commercial and marketing manager at Highlands and Islands Airports Limited said: “I am delighted that Loganair has responded to customer demand for better air links that suit business travellers. Edinburgh is an important destination for public and private sector travellers and I am sure they will welcome the new frequencies which will help them achieve their goals without overnight stops.

“As the North of Scotland’s principal airport operator we are committed to working with our airline customers to improve air connectivity both within the region and to other parts of Scotland, the UK and beyond.

“This is being achieved through the introduction of new routes and by increasing frequencies on existing services with obvious benefits for the communities and economy of the Highlands and Islands. More than 500,000 passengers travelled via our 10 airports in the past six months and we predict further growth in the year ending March 2004 as a result of the new services introduced during October and November,” said Mr Johnson.

For further information on flights operated by Loganair visit the www.loganair.co.uk website.

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited manages and operates 10 airports in the North and West of Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Executive. The airports range from the principal hubs at Inverness, Kirkwall, Stornoway and Sumburgh to those at Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Islay, Tiree and Wick.

The company is responsible for providing airport infrastructure, facilitating lifeline air links, developing air traffic in the region and supporting economic sustainability and social inclusion in Scotland’s remoter communities.

In year ending 31 March 2003 the company’s 10 airports handled more than 864,000 passengers and over 76,000 aircraft movements.

For further information see the www.hial.co.uk website.

Loganair Limited flies to 29 destinations operating 476 flights per week and carrying 316,000 passengers per annum. The company has an annual turnover of £29 million.

The Loganair fleet consists of 15 aircraft and includes eight Saab 340s, two Twin Otters and 5 Islander aircraft.

In addition to scheduled services Loganair operates under contract to the Scottish Air Ambulance Service