Flybe franchise partner Loganair has introduced the first of three Saab 2000 aircraft to be added to the airline's growing fleet, needed to meet increasing demand on Shetland routes.
The first aircraft, which has a 50-seat capacity compared to the current 34-seat Saab 340 model, began operating between Aberdeen and Shetland in mid-April, boosting seating capacity by 40 per cent. Two more aircraft will come into service soon and the very popular Edinburgh route is expected to benefit.
To celebrate the launch of the first flight, Loganair Chief Executive Officer Stewart Adams presented the Saab 2000's first paying passenger, Shetland-based GP Dr Aileen Brown, with flowers and a voucher for complimentary return flights to celebrate the aircraft's induction into service.
Loganair operates five weekday services between Aberdeen and Sumburgh and a further three on Saturdays and four on Sundays – a total of 64 flights a week. Passengers between Shetland and Edinburgh can choose from up to three return flights per day and there are one or two daily return services between Shetland and Inverness, Kirkwall and Glasgow. There are good connections through Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow with other FlyBe flights and it's also possible to book through the British Airways website for flights from Shetland to destinations worldwide.
Shetland residents receive lower fares thanks to the Scottish Government's Air Discount Scheme, which cuts the basic fare (before taxes and other charges) by around 40%.