News

Loganair celebrates Orkney air service 50th birthday

Scottish carrier Loganair yesterday celebrated half a century of serving the Orkney islands.

The inter-isles air service has been operated since 1967 connecting Kirkwall with six outer islands.

It includes a 1.7-mile hop between Westray and Papa Westray, officially recognised by Guinness as the world’s shortest flight.

The eight-passenger Britten-Norman Islander turboprop in its various models has been the aircraft used throughout the last 50 years.

Internal flights to the six outer isles – Eday, North Ronaldsay, Papa Westray, Sanday, Stronsay and Westray – are operated under a public service obligation contract awarded by Orkney Islands Council.

Loganair was awarded a new four-year contract in a competitive tender against opposition from two rivals earlier this
year.

The new contract runs until March 31, 2021, with an option for a further 12-month extension.

Last October saw the millionth passenger carried by the service.

The celebrations saw a gold-coloured Islander flown to Orkney by manufacturers Britten-Norman to specially mark the occasion.

A new airfield terminal building was officially opened at Sanday.

Share article

View Comments

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.