Deal promises better air travel

The deal promises to open new connections to Scottish travellers

A new airline deal has promised to deliver more UK and European flight connections to passengers in Scotland.

The agreement involves Loganair, which provides services throughout the Highlands and Islands, and flybe, which flies from four Scottish airports.

The new franchise will become active on 26 October when Loganair's current deal with British Airways ends.

Flybe's Jim French said the landmark deal would see the benefits of the low cost model being brought to thousands.

The franchise will not affect the 40% core fares discount given to passengers from Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles, Islay, Jura, Caithness and North West Sutherland.

Tickets for the new franchise will be sold through flybe.com from June this year.

'Win-win' situation

Loganair's chairman, Scott Grier, said it was an exciting time for his firm's employees and a "significant step" for the company.

He added: "The air service networks of both airlines are complementary and this deal will give our customers a greater choice of UK and European connections."

Scott Grier and Jim French: "A significant step"

Mr French, flybe's chairman and chief executive, echoed Mr Grier's words.

He said: "This landmark agreement, the first time a low cost carrier has entered into such a franchise arrangement, is an exciting development in the evolution of the low cost model and one which Flybe sees as a valid strategic option for the future.

"It is also a win-win for both airlines.

"For flybe, we will see our presence in the key Scottish market greatly enhanced and will benefit from increased passenger traffic into our existing network.

"For Loganair, the alliance is a major opportunity to bring the recognised brand of Europe's largest regional airline and the benefits of the low cost model to hundreds of thousands of passengers."