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Loganair and Heathrow celebrate a history-making week of “firsts” as they toast the launch of new Heathrow routes.
As announced in April, Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, has started connecting Heathrow to the City of Derry, Dundee, Orkney and Shetland in addition to its existing Isle of Man service.
City of Derry flights moved from London Stansted on Saturday 6 May, while flights to Dundee left from Heathrow for the first time in 40 years on Tuesday 9 May.
The changes have brought the first-ever link between City of Derry Airport and Heathrow, connected Sumburgh and Heathrow for the first time and restored an air link from Heathrow to Dundee last offered a generation ago.
Since 2017, Heathrow has offered a significant domestic passenger discount on our airport charges, making it more commercially viable for airlines to establish and maintain successful domestic routes at Heathrow. Guaranteed regional connections to the UK’s hub airport helps deliver trade, tourism, economic growth and investment opportunities to all across the UK.
Loganair’s Chief Executive, Jonathan Hinkles and Heathrow’s Aviation Director, Joanna Taso attended a special gate party at Terminal 2 on Thursday as the airline welcomed passengers onboard its 9.45am inaugural flight to Shetland.
Jonathan Hinkles, CEO, Loganair said: “These routes really take Loganair’s provision of regional connectivity to new heights and underline our credentials as the UK’s largest regional airline. We’re very grateful to the UK Government and BA for their support in securing these slots for domestic connectivity and it was great to see so many happy passengers boarding the new services today.
“Maintaining and improving regional connectivity is one of the main levers of a powerful economy and with these new routes we’re offering business connections into the heart of London from some of the most remote communities in the UK.
“Likewise, we’ve opened the door to enhanced tourism for places like Derry, Shetland and Orkney, while also giving all our passengers access to the incredible onward connections on offer at Heathrow. It truly is a game changer for regional commercial aviation.”
Joanna Taso, Aviation Director, Heathrow said: “We are delighted to be celebrating the inaugural Heathrow to Sumburgh via Dundee departure. Loganair’s new domestic routes to Dundee and the City of Derry will open up lifeline connectivity and global business opportunities via Heathrow, the UK’s gateway to the world. Their expanded operations are supported by our domestic passenger discount and demonstrate Heathrow’s longstanding commitment to regional connectivity.”
Dr Liz Cameron CBE, Director & Chief Executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “Enabling the people and businesses of Shetland to use their local airport to fly worldwide for the first time will be transformative. New connections are vital to ensure all of Scotland can benefit from the over 200 global destinations that Heathrow has to offer. We look forward to working with Loganair and Heathrow to help ensure the longevity of these routes and maximize the investment, trade and tourism opportunities that improved connectivity can bring.”
Read more: Loganair Lifts Off for Heathrow Routes
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