Loganair’s ERJs

Loganair is now operating Embraer ERJ145 and ERJ135ER aircraft formerly used by BMI. The fleet of 17 regional jets, comprising 13 ERJ145s and four ERJ135s, are the first jets to operate under the Loganair name since the carrier used three BAe 146-200s in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Loganair says the jets will “enhance the destination offering, improve the customer experience and begin the airline’s next chapter”. The Glasgow-based carrier, which operated as a British Airways franchise from 1994 to 2017, has expanded rapidly in the past 18 months, its expanding route network now including more than 40 routes across Scotland, England, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Europe, with interline arrangements further enhancing connectivity. The ERJ145s and ERJ135ERs were previously operated by the now closed BMI, Loganair’s sister company in the Airline Investments Ltd portfolio.

Loganair taking on the Embraers enables the carrier to further grow its market presence. Among recently launched routes are services to London Southend Airport from three Scottish airports, Aberdeen (17 weekly flights), Glasgow (15 a week) and Stornoway via Glasgow (six a week). The Aberdeen route provides extra connectivity between London airports and the UK’s offshore oil and gas capital. The timings on the route are designed to allow passengers to complete a full working day in the Granite City before an evening flight home.

Loganair Managing Director Jonathan Hinkles said: “Air connectivity with London is incredibly important for the northeast of Scotland where there has been significant capacity reduction to other London airports of late. We’ve specifically created a schedule which is optimum for those travelling for business.”

Loganair is also operating the Embraer jets in markets formerly operated by BMI such as flights from Aberdeen to Bristol, Oslo and Esbjerg and routes from Newcastle to Brussels and Stavanger. Separately, the carrier plans to simplify its fleet so it focuses on the Embraers and Saab 340 turboprops. It is phasing out Saab 2000s and its last Dornier 328 was withdrawn from use in the spring. Loganair also uses Islander and Twin Otter aircraft on its highlands and islands flights, which include some Public Service Obligation routes.

Loganair Embraer ERJ135ER G-SAJT (c/n 376), formerly operated by BMI as G-RJXL, pictured landing at Southend, launching the new airline’s new service from Aberdeen
Simon Murdoch