Loganair has paid tribute to one of the key figures in Scottish aviation by naming a new aircraft after former chairman and president Scott Grier OBE.
The honour recognises Grier’s extraordinary 36-year career with the airline, during which he helped transform Loganair from a small regional operator into the UK’s largest regional carrier. When he joined in 1976 as financial manager, the airline had just five aircraft and 44 staff. By the time he retired, it had become a cornerstone of regional connectivity across the UK.
Grier was appointed managing director in 1983, guiding the airline through a period of rapid expansion and industry change. His leadership culminated in a management buyout in 1997, after which he became chairman and largest shareholder, rebuilding both the business and the brand.
Over the following 15 years, turnover rose from around £5 million to £72.6 million, while annual passenger numbers grew from approximately 50,000 to more than 527,000.
The newly named ATR-72 aircraft was unveiled at a ceremony at Glasgow Airport, where Loganair chief executive Luke Farajallah highlighted Grier’s lasting impact on the sector.
“Scottish aviation would simply not be in the position it is today without the efforts of Scott Grier OBE,” he said. “He is a titan of our industry, and it is only fitting that our latest aircraft is named after him and his contribution to our business.
“This ATR-72 will operate across our network for years to come, a fitting tribute to someone who championed connectivity across the country.”
Grier described the recognition as both humbling and deeply meaningful.
“It is a huge privilege to have this aircraft named after me – a very humbling experience,” he said. “I still get the buzz coming to the airport as I did nearly 50 years ago when my career began.
“The potential for aviation in Scotland is huge, and I am a passionate advocate for the sector and for young people considering a career in aviation.”
Grier retired as chairman in September 2012, coinciding with Loganair’s 50th anniversary. He sold his stake in the business to brothers Stephen and Peter Bond and became the airline’s first president.
That same year, he was named the inaugural recipient of the Scottish Aviation Award by the Baird of Bute Society, recognising his significant contribution to the industry. He used the platform to launch the Loganair-Baird Flying Scholarship, offering a Highlands and Islands school-leaver 12 hours of flying lessons each year.
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He later documented his experiences in Loganair: A Scottish Survivor 1962–2012, a detailed history of the airline drawn from his decades within the business.
Today, Loganair employs more than 900 staff and operates a network of over 70 routes serving more than 40 destinations, including Campbeltown, Shetland, Orkney, Jersey, the Isle of Man, London and Dublin.
The naming of the aircraft serves as a lasting tribute to a figure widely regarded as one of the architects of modern aviation in Scotland.
