Scotland

Loganair recognised for supporting the armed forces community

The UK’s largest regional airline Loganair has been recognised by the Ministry of Defence and presented with a Silver Employer Recognition Scheme Award, for the opportunities it provides for the armed forces community.

At an awards ceremony held at Edinburgh Castle, the airline was celebrated for providing veterans and reservists with employment across the business, as it renewed its commitment to ensuring opportunities for Reservists, service leavers, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and their families.

The MOD Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. Loganair is a proud advocate of the armed forces and currently employs more than 16 people from the community across the business.

Loganair First Officer and Army Reservist Private, Aakash Sajid with Maurice Boyle, Loganair Chief Operations Officer as they receive the Silver ERS Award from Major General Bill Wright CBE

Loganair First Officer and Army Reservist Private, Aakash Sajid with Maurice Boyle, Loganair Chief Operations Officer as they receive the Silver ERS Award from Major General Bill Wright CBE.

The ERS scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and also align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

A Silver Award is the second-highest badge of honour, and for Loganair, this is an increase from its Bronze Award status last year and recognises it as the highest-ranking UK airline within the scheme. At the latest awards ceremony, hosted by Lowland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, just 22 Scottish businesses and organisations were awarded Silver status.

Flight Crew Manager at Loganair, Scott Menzies has spearheaded the enrolment in this scheme. Alongside his full-time role with the airline, he is also a serving reservist.

Scott said: “It is great to be recognised by the Ministry of Defence for our support to the armed forces community and the value we place in our veterans and reservists. They bring core competencies and characteristics from their military training which adds great value to our operation.”

Maurice Boyle, Chief Operations Officer at Loganair, added: “We believe that flying’s for all and by signing the Armed Forces Covenant, it's our promise that those who serve or have served in the armed forces will be treated fairly and offered opportunity.
“Being presented a Silver Award is a great recognition of the initiatives we have in place to support individuals transitioning out of the armed forces into a new career or providing flexibility for reservists. This includes our work with charity Wings for Warriors which trains wounded, injured or sick servicemen and women as professional pilots.”

Colonel Ted Shields MBE DL, Chief Executive of Lowland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, said: “I congratulate and thank all our Lowland Silver Award winners on their commitment to our Service personnel and Cadets. The superb support these businesses and organisations freely offer and deliver to all those in the defence community is second to none and hugely valued. I cannot thank them enough.”