Dundee Airport has received a major and much-needed boost with news of a new service to Stansted Airport.

Loganair will operate a twice-daily weekday service, and once on a Sunday, to London Stansted from March 30.

It will replace the CityJet service to London City, which is due to be withdrawn at the end of March.

The new service, operated by a 32-seat Dornier 328 turboprop aircraft, is the result of weeks of negotiation between Dundee Airport operator HIAL, Dundee City Council, Transport Scotland and the airline.

The operator says one-way flights will costs from £74.99.

London Stansted is the fourth busiest airport in the UK and the third busiest London airport.Major hubIt is a major hub for low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet, and serves around 140 destinations three times as many as London City across the UK, Europe, North Africa and Asia.

The airport is also well located for business passengers, with rail access into Liverpool Street Station.

HIAL managing director Inglis Lyon said: “We are delighted that by working in partnership with Dundee City Council, Transport Scotland and Loganair, we have been able to provide continuity of service between Dundee and London, following the withdrawal of CityJet.

“Stansted is a great choice of airport for Dundee, with a wider choice of airlines and three times the number of destinations on offer at London City. Flight times have been designed with business passengers in mind and will allow those travelling for work to reach the city in good time for an early morning meeting, with easy rail access into Liverpool Street, right in the heart of London’s financial centre.Leisure passengers“Leisure passengers will also enjoy a greater choice of onward connecting airlines and destinations, while those heading for a London city break will find Stansted well placed for the city’s top attractions.”

He added: “Efforts are continuing to secure a Public Service Obligation that would ensure the long-term future of services between Dundee and London. However, this is a good solution for the city at this time, and we hope that business and leisure passengers will support the service.”

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “This agreement with Loganair is welcome news for Dundee Airport as it guarantees continuity of service for the Dundee-London route.

“Maintaining this link is crucial to the airport’s long-term future and this announcement safeguards the service as we move towards establishing a full Public Service Obligation on the route.”

Loganair chief operating officer Phil Preston said: “We are extremely pleased to be working in partnership with each of the agencies involved in maintaining this crucial air service.

“Loganair launched its first ever scheduled service in Dundee back in 1963 and the city has been of great importance to the airline ever since. We retain a presence in the city and currently employ 23 highly-trained aircrew and engineering staff who work at our base at the airport.

“This route is extremely important to the city of Dundee and we believe our 52 years of aviation experience can help ensure the service to and from Stansted Airport gets off to a strong start.”

Flights are available to book from Tuesday January 28 via Loganair’s franchise partner Flybe, or by calling 0871 700 2000.For full coverage of today’s announcement, and reaction, see Thursday’s Courier or try our digital edition.