Loganair CEO Jonathan Hinkles made a surprise announcement through a LinkedIn post that he was stepping down from his position on January 25, 2024; coinciding with the airline retiring its final Saab 340 aircraft.
"I’ve always thought that when the curtain falls, it’s time to get off the stage right away," said Hinkles. "Earlier this afternoon and with the full agreement of Loganair’s board, I relinquished my responsibilities as Loganair’s chief executive and accountable manager."
Describing the 24-hour work required for his role, Hinkles said that the position "truly takes its toll." He has served as CEO for the Glasgow-based Loganair since 2016; over seven and a half years.
He added: "It’s time for a change, just as much for me as it is for Loganair. It serves no-one well for there to be a prolonged period of farewells, uncertainty and indecision in leadership. With all that in mind, I left the building for the final time a few hours ago."
The retirement of the 24 year-long Saab fleet was celebrated with a flight from Kirkwall to Inverness before touching down in Glasgow Airport, replicating the path of the airline's first Saab 340 flight. It also marked the last flight of Captain Eddie Watt, Loganair's longest serving pilot, who flew the final Saab flight before his retirement.