Millionth passenger milestone for isles air service
During a ceremony at Kirkwall Airport today, Monday, to mark the occasion, one of the air service’s most frequent and long-serving flyers, Royal Bank of Scotland mobile-banker, Anne Rendall, was gifted with a celebratory bouquet of flowers by Orcadian pilot, and newly appointed route captain Alex Rendall.
Operated by Loganair since 1967, inter-islands air service connects seven islands and includes the 1.7 mile hop between Westray and Papa Westray which is officially recognised in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s shortest flight.
Anne has completed over 10,000 trips on the inter-islands service, visiting island communities across Orkney and tending to their banking requirements.
Her trips take her to Sanday, Westray, Stronsay, Papa Westray and North Ronaldsay, and once a month she boards the ferry to Hoy.
Alex Rendall, 27, from Kirkwall is the latest Loganair pilot to take over cockpit duties on the famous route having recently completed an extensive training programme to operate the eight-seater Britten Norman Islander aircraft.
He started his career with Loganair when he was only 17, working in the airline’s Kirkwall office while undertaking flight training during his days off.
Alex has been flying for eight years and after completing four years of training, gained his commercial pilot Licence.
Earning his opening role behind the controls with Loganair at the age of 23, Alex initially flew Saab 340 aircraft as a First Officer out of Aberdeen Airport.
Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair’s managing director said: “The route is a jewel in our network and known across the world. However, despite its fame, it’s an essential life-line service for the people of Orkney, connecting the individual islands via a convenient air-link.
“It’s used by teachers, doctors, policemen and school-pupils, helping them to go about their daily routines with ease and simplicity.
“We’ve been operating the service on behalf of the Orkney Island Council for 49 years, with our eight-seater aircraft a stable fixture above the Orcadian skies during the time.
“I’d also like to congratulate Alex for being promoted to captain of the Britten Norman aircraft while thanking Anne as one of the airlines most frequent passengers.”