Loganair is to base a single aircraft at Norwich International Airport next summer to expand its domestic offering, its first network expansion since it acquired control of former Air France franchisee ScotAirways earlier this year: the company is now known under its original brand, Suckling Airways. Loganair, a franchise partner of low-fare regional carrier Flybe, will base one of Suckling’s 31-seat Dornier 328 turboprops at the East Anglia airport to enhance links to Manchester and introduce flights to Exeter.
The Manchester – Norwich route is already served by Flybe on an up to eleven times weekly basis, with up to double daily flights on weekdays and a single Saturday weekend rotation. However, from March 5, 2012 Loganair will take over responsibility for the operation on the route on Flybe’s behalf and will offer three return flights every weekday, alongside a single weekend rotation. According to official UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data, approximately 30,000 passengers travelled on the route in 2010.
The revised schedule will actually result in a reduction in capacity on the route but an increase in frequency that will better meet the demand, providing an enhanced choice of flight timings, starting and finishing the working day in Norwich, and will improve the range of connections available via Manchester to destinations throughout the UK and worldwide.
The arrival of the based aircraft will also enable Loganair resume daily links between Norwich and Exeter from March 25, 2012. The flight will be 75 minutes in duration affording a huge saving against the five or six hour journey between the two cities by car or rail. This route was previously operated by Flybe up until last year when it was dropped due to losses.
“We are delighted to be bringing our successful formula to Norwich of frequent flights, easy connections and a range of fares to suit both business and leisure travellers,” said Jonathan Hinkles, Chief Operating Officer, Loganair. “Both new routes will save customers from arduous road or rail journeys and we believe will prove hugely popular throughout the year.”
As the 78-seat Bombardier Dash 8-Q400 is the smallest aircraft in the Flybe fleet it has been quite difficult for the airline to make some niche routes such as the Norwich – Exeter service work. However, it notes that through Loganair’s ownership of Suckling Airways and its access to smaller 31-seat turboprops, such flights can be operated on a financially sustainable footing. Both flights will actually be flown under Suckling Airways’ Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) but will use Flybe’s flight code.
Flybe also offers flights between Norwich and Edinburgh, carrying approximately 48,000 passengers on the route last year, according to UK CAA data and will also introduce a seasonal twice weekly connection to Newquay between May 5, 2012 and September 22, 2012.
“We are launching our new twice-weekly summer route to Newquay as a result of passenger demand,” said Andrew Strong, Managing Director, Flybe UK. “It will complement the re-introduced Norwich-Exeter route and together, these new services will open up convenient and affordable travel between the West Country and East Anglia again.”
All passengers on these flights will occur an additional charge from the start of next year as Norwich International introduces an airport development fee. From January 3, 2012 all passengers aged 16 and over prior will have to pay a £10 prior to departure from the airport.
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