Isle of Man resident and avid traveller, Sidney Cunningham, is Loganair’s 30,000^th passenger to fly from Isle of Man to Birmingham, and has been gifted a free return flight courtesy of the airline. Sidney’s journey doesn’t end in Birmingham, however, as he is using Loganair’s interline partnership with Emirates to travel onwards to Dubai to visit a friend. While booking this trip, the retired retail sales assistant originally from Glasgow unknowingly purchased the ticket that made him Loganair’s lucky customer.

Loganair can facilitate more efficient and seamless connectivity to destinations around the world thanks to its well established interline and codeshare partners. The partnership with Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, first launched in 2018. The benefits of utilising Loganair’s partner network include protection in case of delay and through-checked baggage to the final destination.

Sidney Cunningham said: “I always enjoy flying with Loganair and Emirates, and this has been quite a surprise. I am a frequent traveller and have visited everywhere from Bangkok to Glasgow, and the Loganair partnership with Emirates is vital for connecting communities like Isle of Man, to the rest of the world.”

Luke Lovegrove, Loganair’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We are proud to connect communities both across the UK and internationally, with a wide range of regional routes and partnerships with airlines, such as Emirates. “We hope that Sidney enjoys his trip to Dubai, and we offer our congratulations on being our 30,000^th passenger flying from Isle of Man to Birmingham.”

Tom Screen, Birmingham Airport aviation director, said: “We’re thrilled to witness the ongoing success of Loganair, who reach parts of the British Isles other airlines don’t. The 30,000th Isle of Man-Birmingham passenger of this financial year is a wonderful milestone. It is also great to see such successful interline  partnerships as with Loganair and Emirates, who together, allow our customers to travel further than ever before. Congratulations, Loganair, and here’s to many more moments like this in future. ”

Richard Jewsbury, Divisional Vice President UK at Emirates, said: “Our regional hubs across the UK offer passengers a gateway to the world. Birmingham is a key hub for Emirates, providing better connectivity to  leisure travellers, businesses and communities in the region. In July, we’ll also be celebrating the return of Emirates’ iconic A380 aircraft, offering customers even more travel choices this summer. We look forward to welcoming Mr Cunningham on his upcoming flight with us and to continue connecting passengers to more than 140 destinations via our home and hub, Dubai.”

In the UK, Emirates will be reintroducing the iconic double-decker A380 to Birmingham from 1st July. Loganair currently offers daily flights from Ronaldsway Airport in Isle of Man to Birmingham Airport, boosting connectivity across the UK for both business and leisure travellers.