Loganair adds new routes for summer 2021

Loganair has re-introduced several routes for summer 2021 which were deferred or suspended this year due to Covid-19.

The airline has put flights till 31 August 2021 on sale today, saying there was early demand from customers who have deferred their travel plans during the pandemic.

Included are flights to Newquay from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Aberdeen, services between Glasgow and Exeter, the re-launch of flights between Bergen in Norway and Edinburgh, Newcastle and Sumburgh in the Shetland Islands, and flights between Jersey and Aberdeen and Norwich.

The airline said it was discussing the launch of more flights to Jersey with its key tour operator partners.

As he announced next summer’s schedule, Loganair Chief Executive Jonathan Hinkles called for the UK government to reduce Air Passenger Duty for domestic flights.

The airline is lobbying for the tax to be removed or reduced, particularly where passengers on domestic return trips pay double the tax of those flying out of the UK to European destinations.

Jonathan said: "We’re pleased to announce our summer 2021 schedule which will protect and enhance the UK’s regional connectivity.

"The earlier launch of our summer schedule is a recognition that there is demand from customers who have deferred travel plans from this summer as a result of the pandemic and who are now waiting to book for next year.

"However, recovery from the pandemic has been incredibly slow and shows every sign of remaining that way. It is imperative that the Government now acts to provide additional support for the sector through an alleviation of Air Passenger Duty and ending of double taxation on domestic flights.

"It has helped the housing market with alleviations of stamp duty; the restaurant trade with the Eat Out to Help Out programme and the hospitality sector with VAT cuts. Yet aviation has been left behind and continues to suffer deeply from international travel restrictions and the consequent impact on consumer confidence.

"We urgently need a ‘Tax Off For Take Off’ equivalent campaign to help the aviation industry through this incredibly difficult recovery."

Loganair has recently started a codeshare agreement with Blue Islands, which means that customers can book connecting itineraries at Loganair.co.uk, such as Inverness to Southampton and Exeter via Manchester, Aberdeen to Southampton and Exeter via Manchester, and from Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh to the Channel Islands via Southampton or Exeter.

For passengers living in the Channel Islands, journeys to Scotland or Newcastle using flights operated by both airlines can be booked at Blueislands.com.

Other routes will be sold by Loganair via its website, including Blue Islands’ Exeter and Birmingham to Jersey and Dublin to Southampton routes.

By Linsey McNeill, Editor (UK)