Maybe it takes a bit of competition on the Scottish network for anyone really to 'wake up and smell the coffee'... Maybe Loganair with the BA franchise deal had it good. How could it fail with BA slapped all over Loganair aircraft, timetables and website. Connecting passengers only had ONE choice - LOGANAIR - connecting from the major Scottish Airports to the Highlands and Islands. Times have changed and money is tighter now with all thats going on at BA. Franchise deals are despised by WW at Waterworld, thats no secret. flybe are expanding merrily and have a better-suited style of management and route structure than Bully Boy BA. Massive Eurpoean coverage now with flybe and on the domestic front, almost every major airport covered. Loganair would make the perfect partner and that would even let them expand their network, leaving flybe to do the longer range and slightly higher density routes. Loganair have the expertise and staff in the Highlands and Islands and thats essential, giving confidence to the communities up there, the passengers and the Scottish Executive. Maybe the SAAB 340 isnt the best aircraft to operate but it does the job. Newer and slightly larger aircraft such as the Dash 8-300 and ATR models would make an improvement, but without a merger or a franchise deal with another carrier, the cost of renewing the ageing SAAB fleet is a very tall order for Loganair alone - even with the Scottish Execs financial assistance to supply air travel to remote regions of Scotland.