Scotland's airline Loganair has taken over the exclusive management of all charter air travel for Norwich City FC, the professional football club closest to its English operational base at Norwich airport.

The partnership has an initial three-year duration and will see Loganair become the club's first airline partner. It includes flights to selected away matches as well as ad hoc domestic travel. In a reciprocal agreement Loganair will also become a sponsor of the EFL Championship club.

Commercial director Kay Ryan says: “This is a very important strategic arrangement for us as Norwich airport is our only operational base outside Scotland. It shows our continued and growing commitment to the city and the airport.

“Like us, Norwich City FC has a passion to be the best it can be, and I know we'll both go from strength to strength over the next three years. I'm confident this partnership will be to the mutual benefit of our two organisations.”

For the launch, Loganair's Dornier 328 was welcomed at Norwich airport by Norwich City's two Scotland internationals, Kenny McLean and Jordan Rhodes, as well as Scotland youth international Jon McCracken. Rutherglen-born McLean, who formerly played for St Mirren and Aberdeen, adds: “It's great for the Scottish lads that we have partnered with Loganair. It is really good that we can fly to some of those long away trips as it helps with our pre-match preparation.”

Norwich City commercial director Ben Kensell continues: “This partnership is a really significant step forward commercially as it benefits both the first team requirements and boosts the commercial revenue streams further. There are very few clubs outside of the Premier League that have an airline partner, so we are really pleased to have a long-term agreement signed with the brilliant team at Loganair.”