Loganair to take over Flybmi routes from Aberdeen

Regional airline Loganair has said it will take over some of services provided by Flybmi before it announced it was filing for administration.

Loganair will operate flights from Aberdeen to Bristol, Oslo and Esbjerg from March 4 - describing this as a "significant expansion" of its Aberdeen base.

It comes after Flybmi announced on Saturday night it has ceased operations and is filing for administration because of Brexit "uncertainty” and “spikes in fuel and carbon costs”.

Loganair said it would provide daily services Monday to Friday between Aberdeen and Esjberg - which is Denmark's fifth largest city - making this the airline's first service to the country.

Meanwhile, flights between Aberdeen and Oslo and the service from Aberdeen to Bristol will operate on weekdays as well as Sundays.

Loganair already operates 50 flights a week from Aberdeen Airport.

The airline's managing director Jonathan Hinkles said: “It's always really sad to see an airline go out of business and our thoughts are with all those affected - particularly staff members.

“We're working on employment opportunities for pilots, cabin crew and engineering support staff to strengthen the Loganair team.”

He added: “There is no doubt that trading is tough but Loganair is - we believe - in the strongest position of any UK regional airline.

“We've done a lot of work over the last two years to secure our future as an independent regional airline and despite the challenges posed by fuel and carbon costs, and Brexit, we are strongly placed to take up new opportunities as they arise.

“Our three new routes from Aberdeen complement our existing activity across a distinct geographical area, acting as a logical fit with our network - while also markedly increasing the airline's presence in Aberdeen."