Loganair celebrates 40-year anniversary of its first flight from Glasgow to City of Derry Airport

Scotland’s airline Loganair has celebrated 40 years since one of its Twin Otter aircraft set-off on the first-ever service between Glasgow Airport and City of Derry Airport in April 1979.

The airline’s senior team recreated the occasion, as a 19-passenger Twin Otter piloted by Captain Fraser Beaton made the trip across the Irish Sea, and was met by an awaiting delegation of VIPs at the airport.

Loganair’s managing director, Jonathan Hinkles presented Councillor John Boyle, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, with a commemorative plaque to mark the milestone.

The airline operated the route between 1979 and 2008 before recommencing services five days per week last year – on a larger, 34-seat Saab 340 aircraft.

Loganair is also providing the PSO airlink between Derry and London Stansted and is set to commence flights to Manchester on May 24.

Managing director Jonathan Hinkles said: “It’s fitting to celebrate such a memorable event in the airline’s history by taking a Twin Otter once again to the skies above Derry.

“Loganair has a long relationship with the airport, one we’ve been pleased to grow over recent months. Glasgow and Derry have ties which go back even further and this 40-year-old airlink helps support these connections.”

Paul White, Head of Aviation at Glasgow Airport, said: “We are very proud of the long and fruitful relationship we have enjoyed with City of Derry Airport over the last four decades.

“This historic route has proved extremely popular with our passengers throughout the years and the service continues to thrive in both directions.”

Charlene Shongo, Airport Manager at City of Derry Airport, added: “We are so proud to have Loganair, who have been such an important and symbolic part of the history of our airport, back at the heart of our modern commercial operations.

“Loganair operates the current Glasgow route, which is available at peak times five days a week.  Loganair has also recently been appointed to operate our PSO service to London Stansted, offering 13 departures per week with fares starting at £39.99pp one way.  And of course, we are absolutely delighted that the Scottish airline have recently launched a new daily service to Manchester which will commence operations on May 24 with fare prices starting from just £39.99pp one way. The new Manchester service fantastic news for the Airport and for the North West as it provides vital connectivity to one of the main hubs in the UK and creates an opportunity for onward connectivity to international destinations

Ms Shongo added: “City of Derry Airport is a vital piece of transport infrastructure and is the airport of choice for the North West of Ireland, offering both convenience and excellent customer service. I would encourage all travellers to ‘Fly Local and Choose CoDA’ when making future travel arrangements.  We have fantastic facilities on our doorstep, and it is essential everyone takes advantage of their local airport for travel plans when possible.”

Flights from Glasgow to City of Derry on sale via www.loganair.co.uk with all tickets include 20kg of complimentary baggage allowance and an inflight refreshment.