Flybe is ending its franchise agreement with Loganair after 10 years, claiming it has been unable to agree future operational standards and commercial arrangements with the Scottish airline.
Instead, Flybe said it will reveal ‘in due course’ how it will continue to serve Scotland and Loganair has announced it will fly under its own brand from next September when its deal with Flybe ends.
Glasgow-based Loganair, which provides vital routes between the Scottish mainland and the highlands and islands in addition to services between Scotland and England, has operated as a franchise carrier for 24 years.
Prior to its franchise deal with Flybe, it used to fly under the British Airways banner, but it said it will operate in ‘its own right’ from next September.
Peter Simpson, chief executive of Loganair’s parent Airline Investment, said the airline will continue with its route network and look to add services.
He said the company was continuing to discuss with Flybe potential opportunities to continue to work together in the future, but he said operating in its own right would give it greater autonomy.
He said the airline was keen to add elements such as child fares and free check in baggage which did not ‘fit comfortably’ with the Flybe brand.
Loganair is planning to establish its own reservations system on its website for flights from March 2017.
Meanwhile, Flybe has announced it is to open its first European crew base, in Dusseldorf, next year.
Germany is becoming an increasingly important market for Flybe, which now offers six routes to Dusseldorf.
These are from Birmingham, Cardiff, Doncaster Sheffield, Manchester and Southampton and, since last month, London City.
The launch of a Dusseldorf base underlines Flybe’s commitment to serving Germany and will ensure a more efficient and reliable service, said the airline.
In preparation for the opening of the new base, Flybe has recently embarked on a recruitment drive for more than 60 additional pilots and cabin crew, together with identifying and sourcing a complement of engineering support for its two 78-seat Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft.
These aircraft currently serve Dusseldorf with UK-based crew.
In readiness for the start of operations at the beginning of February 2017, the first crew have already been recruited and will start training at the airline’s training academy in Exeter in early January.
