Loganair has resumed passenger flights at Birmingham Airport on June 1, after the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown was lifted and the collapse of Flybe, with the re-establishment of non-stop jet services to Aberdeen.
The Birmingham-Aberdeen services will initially operate four times each week – on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays – which will increase to two flights each way per weekday from August 31. Loganair’s flights between Birmingham and Inverness will resume on July 6, and will also fly on four days per week initially before building to a daily service during August. The Glasgow-based airline is also planning to restore the former Flybe route linking Birmingham with the Isle of Man in the coming weeks.
Tom Screen, Aviation Director, Birmingham Airport, said: ‘We are delighted to see Loganair returning to flying from Birmingham, serving these key routes to Aberdeen and Inverness. The team at Loganair have placed significant emphasis on safety and we look forward to welcoming them and their customers through Birmingham in the coming week.’
Loganair chief executive Jonathan Hinkles said: ‘With many businesses turning their thoughts to re-starting work after the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK’s regional air connectivity will be more important than ever. For the sake of the recovery of the UK economy, we must enable key workers across the oil & gas, construction, service and healthcare sectors to travel swiftly, comfortably and safely throughout the country. As well as providing travel guidance on which basis businesses can plan, we believe today’s announcement will also lend confidence to people looking forward to visiting families and friends once social restrictions permit.’
All flights will be operated under the ‘Safe Steps to Healthy Flying’ protocols which Loganair announced on May 14 – becoming the first UK airline to set out detailed plans on how customer safety will be attained and maintained whilst Covid-19 is present. Loganair’s advice, which is in line with the guidelines announced by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), is available on its website.