The carrier will introduce “up to three” non-stop weekday services to Newcastle and Norwich, starting 1 September.

It will also offer non-stop Sunday services on both routes, which will serve the oil and gas industry.

Loganair says its new routes will target passengers “dissatisfied” by current Flybe franchise partner Eastern Airways services.

Citing CAA data, Loganair said a quarter of Eastern’s Aberdeen-Newcastle flights were cancelled last year while only 65.5% departed on time.

It is proposing early-morning northbound flights from Norwich to Aberdeen, with later returns, and has pledged to undercut Eastern’s return pricing.

Onward Loganair connections from Aberdeen include Orkney, Shetland, Oslo and Esbjerg.

Kay Ryan, Loganair commercial director, said the routes would give travellers more choice and offer a more reliable service. “The schedule is constructed to offer maximum flexibility for businesses and the offshore oil and gas industry and we’re looking forward to strengthening our network for the benefit of our customers,” she added.

Steve Szalay, managing director of Aberdeen International airport, said both Newcastle and Norwich “shared a common link with the energy sector”.

“Regional connectivity is the bloodline of our business,” he added. “We’re pleased these services will kick off in September, just as we provide the final lick of paint to our £20 million terminal upgrade project.”

Roger Hage, Eastern Airways general manager commercial and operations, said: “We note the new announcements by Loganair as part of AIL (Airline Investments Limited) and their additional placing of former group flybmi aircraft on long standing Eastern Airways routes.

“We however welcome competition and look forward to adding new services in the coming week as part of the Flybe winter schedule release ourselves in Aberdeen and intra-Scotland.”