New routes to Manchester and Birmingham are set to begin in April, as well as seasonal flights to Jersey
Loganair’s summer 2021 schedule includes an increase in existing services, as well as the restoration of previously suspended routes and the introduction of three new destinations.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline upheld the only passenger service to and from the Isle of Man. As customers highly anticipate the reopening of air travel by the summer months, Loganair has responded to these demands by broadening its services.
Flights to London Heathrow initially began on December 1, 2020. From the end of March, departures to the UK’s biggest airport will increase to two flights per day.
Services to Manchester Airport will also increase to two daily from April 1. By July, flights to Manchester will step up to four per day and journeys to Liverpool will also rise to three per day.
Due to the collapse of Flybe, the Birmingham route was cancelled last year. It is set to be reinstated on April 1, where flights are set to take place four times a week. This should then increase to daily flights by May 22.
Edinburgh services also plan to restart from April, with the introduction of three flights each week from April. This will then increase to four from May 25.
The airline is also introducing new destinations from the Isle of Man, including a Southampton route, where flights will take place three times a week from May 26. Loganair believe this location is great for those wanting to make onward connections to the Channel Islands and for passengers meeting cruise sailings.
Another addition is Belfast City, where flights will begin four times a week from April 1 and will then build to six times weekly from May 24. A seasonal route to Jersey has also been established, which will run every Saturday from May 22 to the end of September.
Johnathon Hinkles, Loganair chief executive, said, “We’re already seeing bookings coming in for destinations such as Jersey and Cornwall, and it was increasingly clear that the Isle of Man was missing out. Today’s announcements will provide clarity for both our customers on the Isle of Man and those on the ‘other island’ and beyond wishing to plan and book for the summer.
“We’ve taken a phased approach to increasing the number of flights on offer, in anticipation of a progressive recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and re-opening of borders. Of course, we will continue to work closely with the airport management team and the Isle of Man Government to prioritise public health and continued connectivity.”
In an attempt to increase the number of seats available, the airline is introducing an ATR72 turboprop aircraft, which can carry up to 70 people per flight.
