TV personality Lorraine Kelly and The Beano’s Dennis the Menace joined passengers as the new Loganair service between Dundee and London Stansted Airport got off to a flying start.
Lorraine, who lives in Broughty Ferry, and Dennis joined Loganair’s chief operating officer Phil Preston and other passengers on Sunday’s inaugural flight bound for Stansted.
Announced in January of this year, the new service will now operate twice daily on weekdays with one return journey every Sunday.
The new route has been introduced as a replacement for Dundee Airport’s previous London City service and flight times have been designed to appeal to the business and leisure markets of both destinations.
The Dornier 328 aircraft used on the route promotes six of the city’s famous landmarks The Tay Bridge, Cox’s Stack, St Mary’s Tower, Baxter Park Pavilion, HMS Discovery and V&A Museum.
Lorraine Kelly said: “The London Stansted service is great news for Dundee. Business people will probably use the service the most, but I’m sure there will be plenty of long weekends planned in the next few months by Dundonians keen to experience all that London has to offer.”Courier reporter Andrew Argo was on board Monday’s first business flight. See his review of the service in Tuesday’s CourierMr Preston added: “The commencement of the service is another milestone for Loganair as it will be the first time the airline has operated to and from London Stansted one of the UK’s busiest international transport hubs.
“Make no mistake, Dundee is a city on the up and we hope this new service will encourage many visitors to discover this for themselves.”
Dundee Airport manager Derrick Lang said: “This is an important new route for Dundee and offers an affordable and convenient service to one of the UK’s biggest and best connected airports.”
Transport minister Keith Brown said: “The launch of this interim service between Dundee and London is an important stepping stone for the future of Dundee Airport.”
Dundee City Council administration leader Ken Guild said: “The council has been working closely with its partners in Transport Scotland, Highland and Islands Airports and Loganair to help ensure this continuity of service between Dundee and London.
“We are obviously keen to find a longer term service to connect Dundee and London and the council is in the process of attracting an operator under a public service obligation.”
Ticket prices on the Dundee service cost from £74.99 including taxes.