A new plane will be taking passengers between Stornaway and Glasgow from next week.
Flybe franchise partner Loganair have announced one of the airline’s new Saab 2000 aircraft is to replace an older, smaller Saab 340 on the route.
The 50-seat twin-propeller aircraft will increase capacity by nearly 10% and be used on the mid-morning service to help meet an increase in demand on flights to and from the Isle of Lewis.
Loganair took delivery of three Saab 2000s last spring and the aircraft have been utilised across the airline’s network and charter services.
The Saab 2000 was selected for its good record on smaller airfields, larger cabin and improved seat pitch.
The plane also benefits from greater noise suppression and increased crosswind limits.
Loganair’s chief operating officer Phil Preston said: “Demand for seats to and from Stornoway has increased in recent months and we have reacted positively by taking the decision to introduce the Saab 2000 to help address this.
“The introduction of the Saab 2000 on our mid-morning service will increase the number of available seats from 816 to 896 per week, and mean we can offer more seats at our lowest fares.
“It is the ideal aircraft and is extremely capable in terms of operating in the challenging conditions often encountered in areas such as Stornoway. We hope our valued passengers will enjoy using this aircraft and the benefits it will bring to the route.”
Like the Saab 340, the new aircraft be operated by a crew of three – two flight and one cabin – and will be based in Glasgow.