Loganair Announces Retirement of Saab 340 Fleet in Early 2024
Loganair (LM, Glasgow International), the prominent Scottish regional airline, has declared its plans to retire the Saab 340Bs from its fleet in early 2024. This marks the end of a significant era for the airline, as the Saab 340 has been a central component of its fleet for over two decades. To commemorate the retirement, Loganair has organized farewell flights and a special send-off event scheduled for January 20-21, 2024, which will include scenic flights around Glasgow International.
The Saab 340 has been a stalwart in Loganair’s operations, completing over 430,000 flights and transporting more than 8 million passengers. Its retirement is not just a logistical update but also a moment of reflection on the aircraft’s substantial role in Loganair’s history.
Loganair’s historical fleet, as shown in the ch-aviation fleets history module, includes three Saab 340As, two Saab 340A(F)s, fourteen Saab 340Bs, and two Saab 340B(F)s. Presently, only three Saab 340Bs remain in active service, primarily operating from Aberdeen Dyce to destinations such as Sumburgh, Kirkwall, and Edinburgh.
In line with modernizing its fleet, Loganair is transitioning to aircraft from ATR – Avions de Transport Régional. The airline currently operates a mix of ATR42-500s, ATR42-600s, and ATR72-600s and has plans to expand its ATR72-600 fleet. This transition, however, has faced delays due to late deliveries of the new ATR aircraft, as acknowledged by Chief Executive Jonathan Hinkles in a conversation with ch-aviation earlier this year. The new ATR72-600s are expected to replace the retiring Saab turboprops on a one-to-one basis.
In addition to the ATR fleet, Loganair’s diverse fleet composition, detailed in the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, includes four ATR72-500(F)s, one DHC-6-300, two DHC-6-400s, one E135, and thirteen E145s.
The decision to retire the Saab 340Bs follows the earlier retirement of Loganair’s Saab 2000s in March 2020, a decision made independent of the COVID-19 pandemic’s onset. This move signifies Loganair’s ongoing commitment to modernizing its fleet and enhancing operational efficiency, marking a new chapter in its storied history.