Loganair to Expand into Heathrow in May

After acquiring a lease from British Airlines for 30 additional weekly slots, Loganair will start expanding into Heathrow in May.

The carrier claimed today (28th March) that having capacity at Britain’s main hub will improve both domestic and international connections.

The airline stated exact route information will be released in the upcoming days.

“Having taken these important first steps ourselves to provide new connectivity to and from the UK regions under this arrangement, it’s now essential for the UK government to initiate the process needed to reform competition remedies to provide access to Heathrow for the UK regions,” said chief executive Jonathan Hinkles.

The agreement comes after the Glasgow-based carrier urged the government to change the regulations governing competition for airport slots on numerous occasions. According to Hinkles, smaller carriers like Loganair are harmed by the present law’s auctioning off of airport slots to the highest bidder.

“It’s unacceptable that these slots are being auctioned off,” he told FlightGlobal in February. “Access to our national hub for regional services is critical.”

The initiative has gained backing from individuals like John Holland-Kaye, the departing CEO of Heathrow, who stated last month that adding a third runway to Heathrow would strengthen the airport’s position as a regional hub.