Loganair is to partner with British Airways after Flybe withdrew from a pact with the Scottish airline.
A new codeshare deal comes into effect on September 1 when Loganair begins operating as an independent airline.
The arrangement will enable travellers from the Highlands and Islands to book directly onto services on BA’s global network at Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports, serving more than 200 destinations.
Loganair passengers will be able to connect onto BA domestic services at Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, flying on a through ticket, with the ability to check in hold baggage at their departure airport straight through to their final destination.
Loganair flights between the Highlands and Islands airports and Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness under the new codeshare agreement will be eligible under the Scottish government’s air discount scheme.
New Loganair flights to and from Manchester will also be included in the codeshare, enabling passengers to make connections from points including Glasgow, Inverness and Norwich onto a growing number of BA routes from the north-west hub.
Under the new agreement, British Airways will be operating a codeshare with Loganair for the first time as an independent airline.
The two carriers have had a business relationship for more than 25 years. They operated as franchise partners between 1994 and 2008 and have operated a codeshare agreement under an existing Loganair-Flybe franchise, which is ending after a fall-out between the two regional airlines.
Loganair managing director Jonathan Hinkles said: “Today’s announcement marks a new and welcome development in the long-standing partnership between British Airways and Scotland’s airline, Loganair.
“This agreement will offer new travel options to customers connecting via Inverness and Manchester, together with excellent connections between British Airways’ global network and Loganair’s extensive services in the Highlands and Islands.”
BA head of alliances, Rishi Kapoor, said: “We are delighted to be strengthening our business relationship with Loganair with an agreement that will benefit the customers of both airlines.
“We believe the new codeshare agreement will bring enormous benefits to the Highlands and Islands, significantly boosting the region’s economy by extending the global reach of the area’s businesses and communities through British Airways’ world-wide network with flights serving more than 200 destinations from Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports.
“Additionally, it will boost the region’s inbound tourism sector by making it even easier for visitors from all over the world to travel to some of the most remote and beautiful parts of Scotland”.