Loganair expands into Europe with Glasgow to Düsseldorf service
Courtesy Inverness Aviation Photography / Photo: Dylan Morrison
Loganair – recently awarded the prestigious European Regional Airline of the Year award - is stepping in to protect the route, which supports important cultural and business links between the west of Scotland and the North Rhine – Westphalia region of Germany. Current operator Eurowings has elected to discontinue its service, which will end on the previous day.
With incoming visitors from Germany proving increasingly important to the west of Scotland, Loganair’s decision to secure the route’s future ahead of the busy Easter and summer visitor seasons has been warmly welcomed by the tourism industry. Business and trading links between the regions – across a wide range of sectors including aerospace, food & drink, telecoms and the energy industry – will similarly be safeguarded by Loganair’s move.
The new Loganair schedule departs Glasgow at 10.20am, arriving in Dusseldorf one hour and 50 minutes later at 13.10 local time, before returning to Scotland at 13.50 and touching down again in Glasgow at 14.40. Loganair has been able to secure access to Germany’s third largest airport for its new service despite stiff competition from intercontinental airlines for scarce runway slots there.
Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair’s managing director said: “Our new Dusseldorf route is Loganair’s first foray into Germany, heralding another significant milestone for the airline as our reach extends into continental Europe. We’re now able to carry passengers further and faster since adding Embraer 145 jets into the fleet, an important development for international travel.”
“The coming months are set to be an exciting period for Loganair, as we continue to provide excellent service to customers in our Scottish heartlands while setting our sights into Europe.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “It’s great to see this important route being sustained. Loganair is showing real confidence and ambition by taking on this high-profile service.
“This link plays a key role for the economies of Glasgow and the west of Scotland, as Germany is one of our most important tourist markets in Europe. It is also welcome news for some of our most important industries such as manufacturing and finance and the links they have established in North Rhine-Westphalia.
“I congratulate Glasgow Airport and Loganair on this announcement and wish them every success with the service.”
Paul White, Head of Aviation at Glasgow Airport, said: “Loganair’s decision to introduce its first route to Germany is a landmark moment for the airline and welcome news for Glasgow Airport.
“Dusseldorf continues to be a popular destination and this new service from Scotland’s airline will provide our passengers with even greater choice.
“The introduction of the daily service to this fantastic city will also further strengthen our strong links with Germany, which currently includes routes to Frankfurt, Berlin and Munich.”
Düsseldorf is Germany’s seventh-largest city in terms of population. Sitting on the River Rhine, it is the capital of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is one of the economic centres of the country, home to a thriving fashion industry, historic old town and bustling shopping streets.
Easy rail access from Dusseldorf Airport’s own train station – served by over 350 trains each day – will afford quick onward links for customers arriving from Glasgow to travel on to cities including Cologne, Bonn, Dortmund, Aachen, Munster and Paderborn.
Lutz Honerla, Vice President Marketing and Strategy of Düsseldorf Airport heralded the announcement: “We are very pleased to welcome Loganair - a new airline at our airport. With the daily connection to Glasgow, the airline secures an important route for vacationers and business people heading to the UK. We wish Loganair a successful start to the new route and many happy landings.”
