SCOTTISH islands will get greater connectivity thanks to a new agreement between Loganair and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

The agreement will connect regional Scotland to KLM’s network of 165 destinations worldwide.

As a result of the partnership, Loganair flights from Orkney Island, the Shetland Islands and the Scottish Western Isles will connect with KLM flights from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. Flights are available for purchase immediately, for travel from the end of March 2020.

Air France KLM’s general manager for the UK & Ireland, Benedicte Duval said, “We look forward to working more closely with Loganair as we further strengthen our regional network in Scotland. As a result of this codeshare partnership, we are proud to now provide global connectivity to and from seven departure points across Scotland”

READ MORE: Irn-Bru to introduce limited-edition flavours for summer

Codeshare passengers travelling from Orkney Island, the Shetland Islands and the Scottish Western Isles will also benefit from an exemption from UK Air Passenger Duty (APD). This exemption was introduced by the UK Government in 2000 for all flights from airports in the Highlands and Islands.

Loganair’s chief commercial officer, Kay Ryan said: “We have a great working relationship with KLM and this codeshare agreement is a natural progression. We look forward to bringing many more KLM passengers to connect onto our flights with the opportunity to visit our Highlands, islands and the wider Loganair network.”

KLM offers a choice of 16 departure points in the UK: Aberdeen, Belfast, Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Durham-Tees Valley, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Humberside, Inverness, Leeds-Bradford, London City, London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle and Norwich. It carried a record 35.1 million passengers in 2019.