Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, has achieved its first all-electric turnaround of an aircraft, helping to deliver a better environment for staff and communities.

Taking place at Stornoway Airport in the Outer Hebrides, the milestone follows Loganair’s £2 million investment in state-of-the-art ground handling technology including electric baggage tractors, electric luggage belts, solar-powered boarding ramps, and hybrid ground power units (GPUs).

Loganair states that the GPUs will provide power to aircraft while they are parked at gates, allowing crews to switch off their engines and reduce fuel consumption.

Once fully incorporated across Loganair’s ground operations in the Highlands and Islands, the new equipment will reduce the need for using over 70,000 litres of diesel annually.

Maurice Boyle, Loganair’s chief operations officer, said: “Our new electric equipment replaces diesel-powered machinery, reducing our use of fossil fuels but also creating a much cleaner and user-friendly working environment for our staff.

“Being first out the block is a great achievement for our Stornoway staff, and great for the island community. I hope our customers will welcome our progress and get on board with us as we continue our journey towards sustainable aviation.”

Electric ground handling is the latest initiative to be adopted by Loganair as part of its GreenSkies environmental programme.

Launched in 2021, GreenSkies saw Loganair introduce several measures in its ambition to become carbon neutral by 2040, including a small mandatory charge on all fares to invest in accredited global carbon offsetting schemes.

It also introduced the GreenSkies Community Fund which provides grants to establish local renewables projects.

The airline is also on track to renew its fleet by the end of this summer.

Loganair’s new ATR turboprops support a 27 per cent reduction in carbon emissions per seat compared with the Saab 340 aircraft they are replacing.

Following Stornoway, Highlands and Islands airports in Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Benbecula will also soon benefit from the airline’s new electric ground equipment with the last remaining pieces of diesel-powered ground equipment due to be phased out by the end of this summer.