Loganair has announced an historic franchise deal with Flybe ” the first time a budget carrier has entered into such an agreement.
The Scottish airline has operated for several years as a franchise partner to flag carrier British Airways (BA), but their codeshare deal runs out 25 October. Tickets for travel after that date will now go on sale through Flybe”s website. All flights will be marketed and sold under the Flybe name, and it”s livery will adorn Loganair aircraft.
The new partnership is promising passengers to and from Scotland ”an expanded route network and greater connections.”
”For Loganair passengers, they now have a franchise with an airline which has a great network out of Scotland,” said Flybe chief commercial officer Mike Rutter. ”BA increasingly had less connections other than to London for Loganair passengers to tap into.
”Flybe operates to all major regional airports in the UK. This gives passengers 55 routes from Scottish airports, with 75,000 flights out of the country annually ” double our nearest competitor, easyJet.”
Loganair chairman Scott Grier said: ”The move to become a franchise partner with Flybe provides a certain future for the company. The air service networks of both airlines are complementary and this deal will give our customers a greater choice of UK and European connections.”
Flybe called this unprecedented agreement a ”valid strategic option for the future.” The idea was the product of a joint conversation between the two parties ” ”both were having discussions about different things and this came out,” said Rutter.
”It”s nice when it happens that way, and it is a win-win for both airlines. Flybe”s presence in the Scottish market will be greatly enhanced, and for Loganair it will bring the benefits of the low cost model to hundreds of thousands of passengers.
”For business travellers, passengers will notice little difference in the product that Flybe offers in terms of on-line check-in and lounges ”but it”s a hell of a lot cheaper.”
Loganair”s Air Discount Scheme (ADS) will not be affected. The ADS provides a 40% reduction in air fares for those living in remote parts of Scotland, such as the Western Isles, Shetland, Islay and Jura and is funded through the Scottish Executive with European Commission approval.