The winter schedule sees a 50% increase in the number of seats on sale in comparison to winter 2019, with 13 new routes announced for 2021 after they could not be operated in 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The new routes will see previously summer-only services introduced in winter for the first time, commencing from 29 October 2021 through to the end of March 2022.

The biggest-ever winter schedule for the airline builds on the growth from its summer schedule for 2021, as it increases capacity as part of its recovery plan following the pandemic.

Customers will now be able to easily access Newquay as a winter destination from Newcastle, Manchester and Edinburgh, while Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Norwich will see flights taking off to Exeter for the first time over winter months.

Other new routes for Loganair include services to Isle of Man, Teesside, Liverpool and Inverness, while existing routes to destinations such as Southampton and Birmingham will see services increased in comparison to 2019, with up to three services daily between Manchester and Aberdeen five days per week and two daily two days per week from September onwards and into the winter season.

The Scottish Highlands and Islands will also see a boost to winter services, ensuring connectivity across the UK for the more remote communities.

Additionally, Loganair’s Isle of Man services have gone from strength to strength as it increases capacity with two ATR-72 aircraft now based on the island, both seating 70 passengers serving Liverpool, Manchester, Belfast, Birmingham and Edinburgh.

Kay Ryan, chief commercial officer at Loganair, said: “There is no doubt that the last 15 months have been the toughest in record for the aviation industry. Loganair had planned an ambitious program for both the summer and winter 2020 with several new destinations appearing on our route map and I am delighted that we are now able to fully realise our ambitions for both seasons.

“Our winter program, from 29 October through to the end of March 2022, represents a 50% increase in seats and provides the regional connectivity needed across the country, and in particular opens up the UK for our more remote island communities.”

New routes launching as part of the winter schedule include:

• City of Derry – Liverpool
• Bristol – Teesside
• Birmingham – Isle of Man
• Belfast – Isle of Man
• Belfast – Teesside
• Manchester – Newquay
• Exeter – Glasgow
• Newcastle – Newquay
• Exeter – Newcastle
• Edinburgh – Newquay
• Exeter – Norwich
• Birmingham – Inverness
• Edinburgh – Exeter