Aberdeen-based Loganair will operate its first ever flights from London Southend.
The routes in question are to Aberdeen, Glasgow and Stornoway.
Flights to Aberdeen start on May 12 with Glasgow and Stornoway following on May 28. All are operated by E145 jet aircraft.
Services to Aberdeen and Glasgow will operate up to three times a day. The flights to Stornoway will stop in Glasgow en route and there will be up two daily flights [to Stornoway].
I say “up to” because flight frequency is reduced at weekends.
But schedules meet the needs of business and leisure travellers alike.
Travellers in the Southend catchment area were disappointed when Flybe/Stobart axed its Glasgow service recently so they will be pleased to see the return of this Scottish city.
It will also be a boost to the fortunes of Glasgow airport which, unlike its Edinburgh rival, has seen a recent decline in passenger numbers.
Says Loganair’s MD Jonathan Hinkles, “It’s a great honour to launch the first ever island air service direct to London, a huge boost to Stornoway’s overall connectivity.
“Our schedule is designed to offer maximum flexibility for passengers regardless of their [business or leisure] requirements.”
But one wonders what the future holds for Eastern’s service between Aberdeen and London City.
It used to be non-stop but recently, in order to cut operating costs, it was combined with the Newcastle-London City service which now means Aberdonians suffer a longer flight time.
The good news is that these new Loganair flights are open for booking on the carrier’s website.
