In what has come as a surprise, Loganair says it will take over Flybe’s routes linking East Midlands and Edinburgh/Glasgow.

It’s a short notice cancellation by incumbent Flybe. Loganair will take over on October 27.

In a statement, Aberdeen-based Loganair said it will be operating 49-seat Embraer 145 jet aircraft on both routes.

It adds: “There will be up to four flights in each direction on weekdays between East Midlands and Edinburgh with fewer services at weekends.

“For East Midlands-Glasgow there will be a twice daily service on weekdays increasing to three flights from early next year.”

There will be fewer flights at weekends.

Fares on both routes start at £49.99 each way.

Loganair is expanding at East Midlands. It began services to Brussels and Inverness at the beginning of this month and will launch flights to Aberdeen on February 24, 2020.

Says Loganair’s MD Jonathan Hinkles, “As well as safeguarding essential connectivity for business and leisure travellers we’ll bring improved scheduling to the Edinburgh route straightaway and to the Glasgow route as soon as we can.”

Unlike Birmingham, which has direct rail service to both these cities, travellers in the East Midlands area (this covers Leicester, Nottingham and Derby) have slower rail links because en route changes are necessary.

Customers holding Flybe tickets for these routes (after the Flybe services are cancelled) will be contacted to arrange re-booking options.

loganair.co.uk, flybe.com