Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, has unveiled a significant expansion plan, announcing the establishment of its tenth base at Southampton Airport.
This strategic move, revealed on Tuesday, March 4th, signifies a substantial investment in the southern region. It promises new jobs and improved travel options for residents and businesses alike.
Southampton Base Opening
The new Southampton base will become operational in October 2025, utilizing two state-of-the-art ATR-72 600 aircraft. This development will inject over 140,000 additional seats into the market annually, significantly boosting the airport’s capacity and offering passengers greater choice.
Crucially, Loganair’s commitment means a requirement for base personnel. The airline will be actively recruiting local pilots, cabin crew, and engineers, creating valuable employment opportunities within the community.
New Routes from Southampton
Loganair has also announced the launch of two new routes and increased capacity on an existing popular route. Starting October 26th, passengers can enjoy direct flights from Southampton to Manchester and from Manchester to Exeter.
Furthermore, the Southampton to Edinburgh route will see a significant capacity increase, with aircraft expanding from 49 to 72 seats. These new and enhanced services are designed to meet the growing demand for regional connectivity and provide greater travel flexibility.
The introduction of the Southampton to Manchester route is particularly noteworthy. Timed to facilitate seamless connections to Inverness, Aberdeen, and the Isle of Man, this route unlocks a world of travel possibilities.
Partnerships with Major Carriers
Loganair’s partnerships with major international carriers, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Aer Lingus, enable passengers to enjoy single-ticket bookings and through-checked luggage to global destinations via Manchester.
This enhanced connectivity solidifies Loganair’s position as a leader in regional and international travel.
Luke Farajallah, Chief Executive Officer of Loganair, emphasized the strategic importance of this expansion. “We are delighted to be announcing a new base in Southampton, which is a logical and important strategic step for the UK’s largest regional airline,” he stated.
“Loganair is very familiar with operations to and from the South Coast, and we feel confident the local market will respond well to our more permanent presence and new routes through the basing of two aircraft later this year.”
Supporting Regional and Island Communities
He further highlighted Loganair’s commitment to connecting regions and island communities, a core principle of the airline’s operations for over six decades. “Southampton offers a unique location, and we believe the markets, local people and businesses will respond well to our presence in this thriving part of the UK. We are also looking forward to welcoming our new team members, who will be recruited from the local areas,” Farajallah added.
The decision to establish a base in Southampton underscores the region’s strategic importance and economic prosperity. Loganair’s recent recognition by Which? for its exceptional customer service, achieving a 5-star rating, further reinforces its commitment to providing a superior travel experience.
Kam Jandu, Chief Executive of AGS Airports, echoed the sentiment, stating, “This announcement represents both a significant investment and huge vote of confidence from Loganair in Southampton Airport.”
“Establishing what will be its 10th base, will not only significantly enhance the region’s connectivity it will deliver a welcome boost for the local economy by creating meaningful employment opportunities.”
Revived Southampton-Manchester Route
Jandu particularly highlighted the significance of the revived Southampton to Manchester route, noting its popularity among businesses in the region.
“The re-introduction of this route will further strengthen the economic ties between the two cities. Loganair’s extensive airline interline agreements will open even more global connection opportunities for our passengers. This makes the world even more accessible from their local airport,” he concluded.
With nine existing bases across the UK, including Kirkwall, Inverness, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, City of Derry, Newcastle, and the Isle of Man, Loganair’s expansion into Southampton signifies a continued commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and driving economic growth.
This new base opens the door to future expansion possibilities and solidifies Loganair’s role as a vital link for communities across the UK and beyond.
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