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Dundee’s air connections soared to new heights this week with the launch of Loganair’s new Heathrow routes.

The City of Discovery’s link with the UK capital’s bustling aviation hub has been restored for the first time in 40 years, bringing game-changing opportunities for inward investment, tourism and onward travel.

The historic milestone was celebrated at a special event at Dundee Airport as Loganair’s new Heathrow to Shetland via Dundee service was greeted by members of Dundee City Council as the inaugural arrival touched down just after 11am.

As announced in April, Loganair – the UK’s largest regional airline - is now offering connections to London Heathrow from Derry, Dundee, Orkney and Shetland in addition to its existing Isle of Man services.

Derry flights switched from London Stansted on Saturday 6^th May, while flights to Dundee left from Heathrow (previously London City) for the first time in 40 years on Tuesday.

The changes have brought the first-ever link between City of Derry Airport and Heathrow, connected Sumburgh and Heathrow for the first time and restored an air link from Heathrow to Dundee last offered a generation ago.

The change from London City on the Shetland via Dundee route means Dundee customers will now be able to book connections to and from Dundee via London Heathrow to 97 destinations in 45 countries, with today’s Shetland-bound arrival also underlining the UK regional connectivity now being offered via the airline.

Loganair Chief Commercial Officer, Luke Lovegrove, said: “Dundee is now plugged in to Heathrow’s connections with the rest of the world thanks to these new routes, offering incredible opportunities for travel, tourism and inward investment into the City and wider Tayside region.

“For the first time in a generation, Dundonians will have the option to use their local airport to fly worldwide or take the short journey to explore Shetland – one of the most remote and unique communities in the UK.

“These routes really take Loganair’s provision of regional connectivity to new heights and it was wonderful to celebrate the moment in a city which means so much to Loganair.”

Mark Flynn convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee said: “The London Heathrow service is predicted to provide economic and social benefits to Dundee and the wider city-region, through access to a global hub without the need for passengers to travel to another Scottish airport.

“At the same time, the connectivity to London itself is quick and straightforward and the route is a great way to get to the UK capital for business or leisure travellers coming from Dundee.”

Liz Henderson, Director of Membership and Events at London Chamber of Commerce said: “Sustainable aviation is vital for British business to grow jobs and the economy across the United Kingdom and overseas. Loganair’s new Heathrow routes achieve that by boosting connectivity across key regions in the UK, ranging from traditional business and tourism centres to some of the country’s most remote destinations.”

Lorna Jack, Chair of Dundee Airport Limited (DAL) Board said: “It has been great to be able to join the team here in Dundee today, as they welcomed the first flight from London Heathrow that will be connecting through to Sumburgh.

“We are delighted to support Dundee City Council and Loganair on this new service which is a positive move in terms of air travel to and from the City of Discovery.  Heathrow opens a world of onward connectivity opportunities for the people of Dundee and the wider Tayside area.”

Picture (L-R):  Liz Henderson, Director of Membership and Events at London Chamber of Commerce;  Mark Flynn, Convener of Dundee City Council's City Development Committe;  Loganair Chief Commercial Officer, Luke Lovegrove;  Lorna Jack, Chair of Dundee Airport Limited (DAL) Board  

"The UK Department for Transport has now confirmed Loganair's plans for Dundee Airport into Heathrow"

The UK Department for Transport has now confirmed Loganair’s plans to move Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services from City of Derry and Dundee Airports into Heathrow, in a move described by the airline as a “gamechanger” for regional connectivity.

The UK’s largest regional airline announced its intention earlier this week to move the Dundee and Derry flights - currently linked to the capital via London City Airport and Stansted respectively - to London Heathrow, subject to Government consent.

That approval has now been received from the UK Secretary of State for Transport, affirming the move of City of Derry and Dundee services into Heathrow’s Terminal 2 from Saturday 6 May.  This will be the first ever link between Derry and Heathrow, and for Dundee, restores an air link last offered almost 40 years ago.

Scottish island communities in Orkney and Shetland also stand to benefit from the move as Loganair’s same-plane services from Kirkwall Airport in the Orkney Islands and Sumburgh Airport in the Shetland Islands via Dundee will fly to London Heathrow from Sunday 7 May.   

Moving to London Heathrow brings a range of global flight connections to customers, who can also benefit from Loganair’s multiple interline and codeshare agreements. This includes a long-standing relationship with British Airways, the largest airline at Heathrow, with worldwide connections from all four new domestic destinations bookable via ba.com from Friday 21 April.

The new routes – operated by Loganair’s locally-based crews in Derry and Dundee – will provide new inward investment opportunities and tourism into the UK’s regions.  

Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair’s Chief Executive, said: “This is a milestone moment for Loganair - and indeed for regional connectivity.

“With approval from the Department for Transport and opening of worldwide connections for booking with British Airways, we’re now all set for this move to Heathrow. It will be revolutionary for connectivity for Derry and Dundee and the regions that the airports serve, and the benefits will be felt as far afield as Orkney and Shetland too.” 

Aviation Minister Baroness Vere said: “Our funding continues to sustain these vital transport links, support local jobs, and provide passengers with more options whilst travelling between London, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

“By approving the move to Heathrow, we’re boosting local economies in Derry/Londonderry and Dundee, and passengers will enjoy more onward connections.”

Today (21 April), British Airways has confirmed it will extend its partnership with Loganair adding 11 new routes to its codeshare agreement. The expansion will now give British Airways’ customers access to 46 of Loganair’s UK routes, meaning that customers can book onward connections from destinations across the airline’s route network, or point to point travel in the UK more easily through British Airways’ website. Customers who book onto these selected routes operated by Loganair through ba.com can also earn Avios and Tier points as part of British Airways’ Executive Club programme.

The new routes available to book from later today include:

• Aberdeen to Newcastle
• Belfast City to Dundee
• Belfast City to Inverness*
• Isle of Man to Cornwall, Newquay
• London Heathrow to Dundee
• London Heathrow to Kirkwall, Orkney
• London Heathrow to Sumburgh, Shetland
• Southampton to Stornoway
• Manchester to Sumburgh, Shetland
• Manchester to Stornoway*
• Dublin to Inverness**

Jonathan added: “We welcome the news of our codeshare agreement expansion with British Airways. This is a cherished partnership and one which further consolidates our position as the go-to airline for connectivity across the United Kingdom.” 

"Gamechanger" for worldwide connectivity for Dundee and surrounding regions

Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, has today announced its intention to move the Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service linking Dundee Airport and London into Heathrow with effect from Saturday 6th May, 2023.

The airline has recently gained additional access to slots at Heathrow, and subject to Government approval, will move its Dundee service from the current London terminus of London City into Heathrow’s Terminal Two from Sunday 7th May.   This will offer continued excellent access to central London – where the new Elizabeth Line now connects the nation’s premier airport to key City destinations.

Just as importantly, the move to London Heathrow opens up a tremendous range of new connections from Dundee – firmly establishing Dundee’s place on the worldwide map of air routes for the first time in nearly 40 years since previous links between Dundee and Heathrow were severed.  Customers will be able to book single-ticket, assured connections to and from Dundee via London Heathrow to 97 destinations in 45 countries.  

Destinations across Europe, Middle East, North and South America, Africa, Asia and Australasia ranging from Singapore and Hong Kong through to Buenos Aires and Budapest will all be available from Dundee through Loganair’s growing range of airline partnerships, including with British Airways, the largest airline at Heathrow.

“The move to Heathrow truly is a gamechanger for Dundee’s air links,” says Loganair Chief Executive Jonathan Hinkles.  “Alongside excellent ground transport links into central London, the new range of global flight connections will bring new inward investment opportunities and tourism into the wider region, together with enabling travellers from the Dundee region to use their local airport to fly worldwide for the first time.”

Heathrow Chief Commercial Officer Ross Baker said:  “Welcoming further Loganair services to Heathrow is exciting, with UK passengers and businesses set to benefit from hundreds of onward connections around the world.  Our domestic charging discounts will continue to support further growth in our domestic network – which is vital to strengthen our role as the UK’s hub airport, helping to level-up investment across the country, while connecting more people and businesses to global growth.”

The move to Heathrow will open up more seats on each flight – as aircraft performance limitations at London City impose restrictions today - whilst more efficient air traffic routings into Heathrow will cut flight times and carbon emissions.   All flights will continue to be operated by Loganair’s locally-based Dundee crews and ATR42 aircraft.

All Loganair flights are covered by the GreenSkies programme with carbon emissions fully offset through certified international schemes to remove an amount of carbon from the atmosphere equivalent to that generated by each flight.

1st April - 3rd September

Introducing Discover Dundee:  your official guide to the City of Discovery

Back for it's second year running, Dundee's only open-top sightseeing tour will run daily from 1st April until 3rd September 2023.  Climb up-top to enjoy the best views, feel the wind in your hair, and bask in the blue skies of Scotland's sunniest city.  There's so much to see and do as you travel around town - so join Discover Dundee and Xplore Dundee at your own pace.

Read more about the tour - here are the highlights:

• Journeys run every half-hour, seven days a week
• Hop on and off to visit must-see landmarks and attractions
• Enjoy the vista from Dundee Law and skyline views from the Tay Road Bridge
• Tickets last all day, and are available/valid on all Xplore Dundee buses
• Learn and laugh with a full audio commentary

The basics

Open-top buses run every half-hour during the day, seven days a week.  And the tour is seasonal, running from Saturday 1st April until Sunday 3rd September. 

Tickets last all day and can be bought on the bus from the driver (using cash or contactless), or as an mTicket in the app (just search 'Xplore' in your app store).  Prices can be found on Xplore website.   And don't forget: tickets aren't limited to the Discover Dundee tour - you can use them to travel further afield on all Xplore Dundee routes and network, such as services 5/5a to Broughty Ferry.

The main stop is at Discovery Point on Riverside Drive - handily located near both the Railway Station and V&A Dundee.  When the bus is resting there between journeys, one of their friendly, knowledgeable drivers will be on-hand to answer questions, sell tickets and help you find your way.

The buses are fully accessible, with a low-floor platform and space for a wheelchair, certified mobility scooter or up to two unfolded buggies.

The tour

The full journey lasts up to 50 minutes, but you can hop on and hop off along the way to Xplore Dundee at your own pace. Check out their highlights map downloadable from their webpage. You can join the tour at any designated bus stop along the way.

From the open top deck, you'll have a unique view of all the city's must-see landmarks and attractions.  And Dundee really is Scotland's sunniest city - averaging more than 1500 hours of bright sunshine every year.  Of course, we do recognise the reality of Scottish weather from time to time, which is why (on such rare occasions...) the front section of the top deck is enclosed:  so that you can escape the elements and still see the sights.

Make sure to grab a set of complimentary headphones (or feel free to plug in your own) so that you can learn and laugh with the audio commentary guide - complete with local voice-overs, quiz questions, fun sound effects and music to really immerse you in the experience.

Discover Dundee are excited to tell the story of our city, which includes lots for locals and visitors alike to enjoy.  Learn more about the history behind Dundee's famous "Three Js", find out why Dundee rubs shoulders with cities like Berlin, Istanbul and Singapore, and so much more.

 Welcome aboard!

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James has today confirmed they will be performing at Dundee, Slessor Gardens, with special guests Razorlight on Friday 28^th July 2023.

Having one of Britain’s most enduring success stories, James have released 16 studio albums, selling over 25 million copies with their recent run of Top 5 albums proving to be a golden era for the band.

Released in 2021, ‘All the Colours Of You’ was their most critically acclaimed album in many years, preceded by ‘Living in Extraordinary Times’ and ‘Girl at the End of the World’ which only narrowly missed out on the top spot in 2016 to Adele.

In 2021, the band’s arena tour was their biggest selling and most successful to date and as James approach their fourth decade as a band they are showing no signs of slowing down with the release of a double album landing in 2023 as well as a sold out UK tour.

James will be joined by special guests Razorlight. Back in April 2021 when Johnny Borrell, Andy Burrows, Björn Ågren and Carl Dalemo revealed they would be back working together for the first time in over a decade, correcting the unsatisfactory conclusion to their original formation.

Following first phase of the group’s classic line-up of reuniting they wowed audiences with a live streamed gig and a series of festival dates. With their enthusiastic return in 2022 Razorlight released a brand-new album titled Razorwhat? The Best Of Razorlight that collates 11 of their finest moments plus two thrilling new tracks that demonstrate how the band’s creative spark has been relit.

Liz Doogan-Hobbs MBE, CEO of Grandslam Live Ltd said, “We are delighted James will be coming to Dundee Slessor Gardens this summer with Special Guests Razorlight. We are thrilled to bring such a strong and credible night of music for Dundee to enjoy.

Both bands are incredible live and an evening with James and Razorlight will be amazing! We know fans will enjoy what promises to be one of the most memorable shows Slessor Gardens will ever see. It’s great for the city and the development of music in Dundee.

With Bastille also performing on Saturday 29^th July too, the weekend will surely be one to remember!”

Ticket Info 

• Tickets for James with special guests Razorlight are on general sale at 9am on Friday 17^th February 2023 with tickets priced from £39.50 + booking fee
• VIP upgrades also available
• Accessible tickets are available directly from Ticketmaster

Tickets are available from:  www.lhgtickets.com       www.ticketmaster.co.uk    

Bastille has today (Friday 2^nd December 2022) confirmed they will be performing at Dundee, Slessor Gardens on Saturday 29^th July 2023 as part of the Bad Blood X Tour.

Over the course of nearly a decade together, Bastille’s unique sound – that cinematic, melancholic pop that masks the bleak realities reflected in their lyrics – has connected with audiences across the globe like no other British band in recent memory, with next year being the 10th anniversary of the band's chart-topping twice No.1 debut album Bad Blood which featured the international hit, ‘Pompeii’

From what started in Dan Smith’s bedroom in 2011, relentless gigging, genuine word of mouth with some smartly curated mixtapes meant that within a few years — and with Chris Wood (drums), Will Farquarson (guitar) and Kyle Simmons (keyboards) added to the line-up – Bastille became a global phenomenon.

After their first album release, Bastille’s second album ‘Wild World’ retained the vivid, rich, filmic song-writing of its predecessor but pushed the band’s distinctive sound in exciting new directions receiving No.1 in the UK, and Top 5 in the U.S, going Gold in the process. The record’s lead single, Good Grief achieved the most week-one streams ever for an alternative single and scored them a nomination for Best British Group at the 2017 Brits.

On their third album ‘Doom Days’ Bastille received huge critical acclaim and charted in the top 5 in both the UK and U.S, the only UK band to have achieved this chart landmark alongside The Beatles and Queen in 2019. In the same year they cemented their reputation as one of the world’s most captivating live bands having played an extensive two month-long sold-out U.S and UK tour

Earlier this year saw the release of the band’s fourth album. Give Me The Future, is a tribute to tech times and a glimpse of what could be to come. Exploring both the opportunities of new technology and the dark side of lives lived online, it's as playful as it is thought-provoking, as dystopian as it is dancefloor-friendly and as electronic as Bastille have ever been.

Liz Doogan-Hobbs MBE, CEO of Grandslam Live Ltd said, “We are delighted to confirm that we will be bringing Bastille to Dundee, Slessor Gardens next summer. Bastille are a phenomenon and we know our Dundee fans will enjoy what promises to be an epic party weekend! It’s great for the city and the development of music in Dundee.”

With over 11 million records sold, 6 UK top 40 singles and 1.5 billion video views, Bastille continue to be one of the world’s most streamed bands and it will be an opportunity you do not want to miss out on in 2023!

To get tickets to see Bastille on Saturday 29^th July 2023 Dundee, Slessor Gardens head over to www.lhgtickets.com or www.bastillebastille.com

Bastille:  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Website                                                               

As Christmas draws closer, Dundonians can look forward to getting into the festive spirit, with the launch of Christmas in Dundee on December 1^st in City Square.

Opened by Lord Provost Bill Campbell, the installation heralds 24 days of free family fun which have been designed to appeal to all age groups.

With a jam-packed calendar which includes live music performances, workshops, and even a visit from Santa Claus on December 22^nd to collect his letters, City Square is set to be a hub of seasonal activity.

Visitors can look forward to the return of Dundee’s favourite winter character Pingoo, alongside the much-loved Dundee Christmas Card and this year will also see a spectacular Heofon Maze take pride of place.

Visitors can challenge their friends to an end of curling, and those looking to finalise their Christmas lists can make the most of the illuminated wishing fountains.

Little ones can enjoy free activities, including a Santa letter writing station, and this year visitors can help spread goodwill at the Social Bite Tree of Kindness by donating gifts to people who are homeless and vulnerable this Christmastime.

The first weekend of activity kicks off with a not to be missed Unicorn Dance Party and Santa Dash, whilst crowds can look forward to flash mobs, appearances from magical nutcrackers, book readings and performances from Shaper Caper during the lead up to Christmas.

Lord Provost Bill Campbell said: "It’s wonderful to see City Square lit up again for Christmas. Between the installations, activities, performances, and workshops planned, there is something for everyone to enjoy, and with so much free fun on offer, I hope that the families of Dundee can make some truly special memories here this festive season."

Batman, Rupert the Bear and Minnie the Minx are just some of the much-loved characters to appear in a new University of Dundee exhibition exploring the production process underpinning the creation of comics.

Comics Stripped!  opened this week and will be on display at the University’s Tower Foyer Gallery throughout the summer.  A celebration of the world of comics, it explores how comics are made and how that process has changed over time.

The exhibition is one of several comics-themed activities taking place in Dundee as part of the Summer (Bash) Streets Festival. 

Matthew Jarron, Curator of Museum Services at the University, said, “Dundee is, of course, famous for producing comics and our students at the University have the opportunity of studying comics at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

“We were keen to explore the process of making comics, much of which has changed completely in recent years thanks to digital technology.  As well as some amazing artwork, the exhibition also features fascinating examples of scripts, printing plates, corrections, colour proofs and more.”

This exhibition has been guest-curated by Zu Dominiak, a comics creator and former PhD student at the University, who now teaches comics at De Montfort University in Leicester.  While in Dundee, Zu was an intern with the University’s Museum Services and the exhibition also features larger-than-life characters from Inside the Museum, an upcoming comic created by Zu based on the internship.

Zu added, “One of the most incredible things about being an intern at Museum Services was interacting with original comics artwork.  There are so many ways in which comics have been produced over the years, and I am very excited to share this insight with the public.”

All the artwork on show comes from the University of Dundee’s Museum Collections.  The University holds Scotland’s only public collection of original comics art, featuring both Scottish and international creators.

Comics Stripped! runs until 30 September and is open from 9.30am-6pm on weekdays. Admission is free.

More information about studying Comics at Dundee can be found here. 

Two new direct services from Shetland have taken off from 9th May, connecting Shetlanders with the cities of London and Dundee, operated by Scotland’s airline, Loganair.

The fastest way to travel to London from Shetland, the new three and a half hour service operates twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays – allowing for short breaks or longer stays in the bustling city of London. The new service lands in London City Airport, the easiest and most accessible way to travel to the city, just six miles from central London and three miles from Canary Wharf.

Providing further connectivity to and from Shetland, the airline has additionally launched a direct service to Dundee, operating twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays on the same aircraft. In addition to connecting family and friends in and around Dundee, the service will connect travellers with the top tourist sites such as the V&A Museum, while allowing students and avid golfers access to nearby St Andrews – notably ahead of the 150^th Open taking place this summer. Shetland and Dundee also have construction industry ties, and it is expected the service is set to benefit local businesses.

Loganair has been working closely with Promote Shetland on the launch of the routes and are planning further collaborative activity to showcase Shetland’s increased connectivity and leisure offering. Likewise, the airline is working with Tay Country to promote Dundee and the surrounding region to showcase the leisure opportunities available to prospective visitors from Shetland.

To celebrate the launch, the passengers on the first service from London were treated to the usual Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer, served on every Loganair flight, in addition to a Shetland speciality – Puffin Poo.

Adam Civico, Content Marketing Manager at Promote Shetland, and Nickesh Patel, Brand Marketing Manager at London City Airport joined the first flight from London to mark the occasion.  

Kay Ryan, chief commercial officer at Loganair, said: “This new direct service between London City Airport and Shetland allows for quick and easy access to two of the UK’s most popular destinations for the first time. Shetlanders will now be just a short trip from the bustling city of London for both business and leisure, while Londoners, and those travelling through London, have access to the tranquil setting of Shetland where they can take in the incredible wildlife and picturesque views on offer.

“Likewise, the new Dundee route brings connectivity to the east coast of Scotland, allowing travellers to explore all that the city has on offer but also allowing further access to nearby coastal towns such as St Andrews.

“It is great to be able to offer this enhanced choice and connectivity to/from Shetland which will be welcome news for many local businesses recovering from the pandemic”

Adam Civico, head of content marketing at Promote Shetland, said: “Today’s launch of a new route to Shetland is great news for both leisure and business travellers. Shetland’s dramatic scenery, unique wildlife and friendly welcome are now just a short flight away from both London and Dundee.

“We hope many people are enticed to find their own true north and visit the islands. Not only are the islands perfect for a getaway in a spectacular location, but they are also a hub of innovation and enterprise.”

Inglis Lyon, HIAL managing director said: “The launch of Loganair’s service between Dundee and Shetland is reflective of the positive domestic recovery the aviation sector is experiencing across both Scotland and the UK.

“The new route will provide greater connectivity between the two locations and also allow passengers to link to London City. This is a welcome addition that will allow greater accessibility between national cities and remote areas of Scotland.”

Both routes to Dundee and London City qualify under the Air Discount Scheme (ADS). 

Reservations for Loganair’s newly launched services to London City and Dundee from Shetland can be made at www.loganair.co.uk, by calling Loganair’s Customer Contact Centre on 0344 800 2855 or via travel agents and travel management companies using all major global distribution systems. Flights are inclusive of a 15kg checked baggage allowance.