Loganair has confirmed it will shut its Southampton Airport operating base at the end of October 2026, ending its short-lived presence less than a year after launching operations there in January.
What’s being cut and when
The airline’s Southampton–Manchester service will fly for the final time on Thursday August 20 2026.
As a result, the linked Manchester–Exeter sector will also end on the same date, removing two regional routes from the network.
Why Loganair is pulling out
Loganair says the move follows “a review of our wider network and operational setup”, describing it as a “demand-led decision” within a broader strategic update to its bases and network delivery.
A spokesperson added: “Customers affected by these changes will be contacted directly and will be offered alternative options where available, or a refund where no suitable alternative exists.” The airline framed the closures as part of the same “disciplined, decisive approach” it says has improved punctuality and resilience, aimed at protecting its long-term future and the “lifeline connectivity” it provides to communities.
Reaction from Southampton Airport
Southampton Airport said it was “disappointed” by the decision to withdraw the Southampton–Manchester service and close the operating base later this year.
“We thank the [Loganair] team for their contribution to connectivity from Southampton over recent years,” an airport spokesperson added, signalling the route had been valued despite its brief lifespan.
Loganair inaugurated its Southampton base on January 5 2026, stationing an Embraer E145 and planning to build up to two aircraft by March.
The carrier had originally targeted an October 2025 launch, but timelines shifted after Blue Islands’ collapse in November 2025, when Loganair rapidly expanded into Jersey and surrounding routes to fill the gap.
By October 2025, Loganair had already begun operating a new Southampton–Manchester service as the first step toward the base, alongside plans for increased capacity to Edinburgh and connections via Manchester to Inverness, Aberdeen and the Isle of Man.
In March 2026, the airline officially opened the base with promises of new local jobs and enhanced regional links.
Within months, however, the network has been pared back, culminating in the announcement that both the Southampton–Manchester and Manchester–Exeter services will end on August 20, ahead of the base closure in October.
What this means for passengers
If you hold a booking on the Southampton–Manchester or Manchester–Exeter routes after August 20, expect direct contact from Loganair with rebooking options or refunds where no suitable alternative exists.
With the base closing, the airline will no longer crew or base aircraft at Southampton, likely reducing future scope for new routes from the airport under the Loganair brand.
For travellers seeking similar regional connections, alternatives may include other carriers operating from Southampton or connections via larger hubs such as Manchester, Heathrow or Gatwick, depending on destination and timing.
