Loganair has confirmed that it is working with the Scottish
Ambulance Service to convert two of its aircraft to carry Covid-19 patients who
need to be transferred to other hospitals.
The carrier has already converted a Twin Otter plane to
allow it to carry Epishuttle isolation pods to safely transport coronavirus
patients by air. This aircraft will be able to serve the beach airport on the
island of Barra as well as other airports around Scotland.
It is now working to do the same with a larger Saab 340
aircraft capable of operating to other Highlands and Islands airports. It will
be able to accommodate two Epishuttle pods and accompanying medical teams
simultaneously. Loganair expects this second plane to be operational within the
next seven days.
The aircraft will be based at Glasgow airport but will be
capable of operating medical flights throughout Scotland, with pilots given a
detailed briefing from the airline and the Scottish Ambulance Service on the
nature of the deployment.
Loganair CEO Jonathan Hinkles said: “The team effort to make
this happen, moving from a concept to an operational solution in just a week,
has been absolutely incredible. Between the SAS and Loganair teams, the concept,
testing and training has all taken place and we’re so grateful for the support
from the Civil Aviation Authority in progressing this project.
“Although the circumstances under which all of this work has
been undertaken are ones that we’d never have wished to see, I’m heartened that
the effort which has gone into this is truly admirable. We will support the
Scottish Ambulance Service, the NHS and the island communities who rely on
Loganair for their lifeline air services is and when our assistance is needed.”
The Scottish carrier said last week that it would maintain
essential services to the UK’s remote communities, such as those in the Highlands
and Islands, many of which would be cut off from the rest of the country
without air connections.
Hinkles told the BBC’s Today programme earlier this week
that Loganair is likely to seek some form of financial support from the UK
government, and that it has been in discussions with its owners, shareholders
and suppliers to reduce costs as much as possible.