Transport / Former air rivals team up for new agreement
FORMER airline rivals Loganair and Flybe have announced a new codeshare agreement.
It means passengers flying to and from Shetland will be able to book through-tickets connecting with Flybe routes, with bags only needing to be checked in once.
The two companies were rivals on routes in the Highlands and Islands a few years ago, sparking something of a price war, before Flybe pulled out.
Before that Loganair had operated the services under the Flybe franchise.
The codeshare agreement means over 100 new connections are now bookable via Loganair’s website.
Loganair and Flybe routes to and from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Manchester – the five main airports where the airlines’ networks meet – are included.
Flybe is Europe’s largest regional airline, covering routes in nine countries, while in the UK they fly to airports in the likes of Belfast, Norwich and London.
A single booking also gives passengers the assurance that they will be re-booked to their destination free of charge if weather conditions or other delays lead to missed connections.
Alan Tune, Flybe’s director of sales, alliances and strategic partnerships, said: “We are pleased to add Loganair to our ever-increasing list of codeshare partners, offering customers even more flight connection opportunities by linking our route networks.
“The new codeshare agreement with our Loganair partner offers unrivalled connectivity between most of the main cities, islands and regions of the UK, and onwards to several key European cities, too.”
Loganair managing director Jonathan Hinkles added: “I’m incredibly pleased to be launching this new partnership with Flybe, which will bring tremendous benefits for customers through assured connections, reduced travel costs and convenient through check-in.
“The new codeshare agreement will link all of the communities that we’re proud to serve as Scotland’s airline with major destinations throughout the UK and Europe, and I’m sure that this will be fantastic news for UK tourism, business and by making it easier to visit friends and family.”
The Scottish Government’s transport secretary Michael Matheson also praised the news, saying it will further enhance connectivity for the Highlands and Islands.
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