LOGANAIR, the Glasgow-based airline, has won a prestigious award just over a year after the end of a long-term partnership.

The firm was named Airline of the Year by the European Regional Airline Association at a ceremony at the EICC in the Scottish capital.

It comes after a long-standing franchise agreement with Flybe came to an end last year, the costs of which were cited as being connected to the firm's first loss in nearly two decades.

Loganair launched the first flights under its own livery in 25 years last September after the split, and it has since won new contracts including with British Airways as partner, and Turkish Airlines, the national flag carrier airline of Turkey.

The firm, which has around 700 staff, was commended for its "handling with success of the instant competition from its previous franchise partner" across six crucial routes in the Scottish islands.

The award was collected by Jonathan Hinkles, the airline’s managing director, who said: "Receiving an award of this calibre is a tremendous privilege, highlighting everything Loganair has achieved since flying solo last year.

"Everyone in the team has worked incredibly hard to build a regional airline providing sustainable and reliable services for the communities to which we fly."

Montserrat Barriga ERAA’s director general, said Loganair has "successfully rebranded and begun operating in its own right as a truly independent regional airline".