AIRWAYS SPECIAL
SELECTING THE SAAB 340
In the 1990s , having phased out its BAE146s , which were just too big for it , Loganair owned one Twin Otter and five Islanders . It transferred its ATPs to Manx Airlines ( JE ). Loganair still operated some Short 360s through lease agreements and their franchise with British Airways , which began in 1993 .
Loganair had to downscale due to the very turbulent late 1980s and 1990s , which almost bankrupted the airline . While looking for fleet replacements , a management buyout occurred and the airline retained just 44 staff . British Midland ( BD ) operated most of the Island routes .
Loganair needed something that would replace its Short 360s while , at the same time , enhancing the passenger experience and opening new
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THE SAAB 340 ARRIVES
The first two aircraft — G-LGNA and G-LGNB — arrived in June 1999 ,. The first flight , operated by G-LGNA on June 28 , 1999 , was from Glasgow to Kirkwall , then back down via Inverness . Almost 25 years later , the final Saab flight would take the same route .
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Over the next few years , Loganair ’ s Saab 340 fleet began to grow . But earlier limitations on flights to the islands caused problems until Highlands and Islands Airports ( HIAL ) made the necessary operational changes . The airports ’ short opening times meant that Loganair had to operate certain frequencies at certain times , and multiple flights concurrently . Once HIAL enabled regional airports to remain open for longer stretches , Loganair was able to tailor its operations to capacity and demand . That was when the Saab 340 ’ s capabilities really began to shine .
18 AIRWAYS MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2024 www . airwaysmag . com