Regional airline Loganair takes on cancelled Flybmi routes from Aberdeen

Regional airline Flybmi’s collapse has forced Scottish former rival Loganair to step in on three routes it operated from Aberdeen.

Loganair is to run flights from Aberdeen to Bristol, Oslo and Esbjerg, in Denmark, from 4 March.

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It will also run flights from another Flybmi airport in Newcastle to Stavanger, in Norway, and Brussels.

Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair managing director said: “It’s always really sad to see an airline go out of business, and our thoughts are with all those affected – particularly staff members.

“We are evaluating Flybmi’s wider network and assessing routes which align with Loganair’s distinct geographical area and overall strategic plans. We are also working on employment opportunities for pilots, cabin crew and engineering support staff to strengthen the Loganair team.”

“We've done a lot of work over the last two years to secure our future as an independent regional airline, and despite the challenges posed by fuel and carbon costs and Brexit, we are strongly placed to take up new opportunities as they arise.”

Flybmi announced the immediate cancellation of all its flights on Saturday night, leaving customers stranded.

It ran 17 aircraft on routes between 25 cities in Europe. The east Midlands-based company employed 376 people in Britain, Belgium, Germany and Sweden.

In a statement, the company said: “We sincerely regret that this course of action has become the only option open to us, but the challenges, particularly those created by Brexit, have proven to be insurmountable.”

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Flybmi joins a growing list of airlines that have recently gone bust in Europe, including Germania, Monarch, Alitalia and Air Berlin.

Norwegian Air has also come under pressure in recent weeks, revealing losses in 2018 caused by strike threats and a rapid expansion into the long-haul airline market.