Gymnastics club set for ‘amazing’ extra discounts on Loganair flights
SHETLAND Gymnastics Club has said it is ‘delighted’ at news it will receive extra discounts on Loganair flights.
Isles gymnasts are set to benefit from a new partnership between the airline and Scottish Gymnastics.
Loganair said gymnasts in Shetland would receive additional support for travel on top of the Air Discount Scheme, helping them to travel down to national competitions and training sessions.
The three-year deal will also provide support to families, coaches and volunteers travelling with the team.
Scottish Gymnastics and Loganair said the agreement would help widen access to gymnastics, and would allow island gymnasts to progress through the sport in years to come.
Shetland Gymnastics Club coach Julie Grant told Shetland News they would be “delighted to be able to receive any discount for travel”.
“It’s so expensive to travel to any competition,” she said.
“We have no competitors on the island so every level of competition is off island.
“We recently were hoping to attend a beginners level competition on the mainland and had tried to book travel on the ferry months ago, as this was the cheapest way to travel, but we couldn’t secure cabins.
“So we decided not to enter the competition, which was a shame.”
Grant added that now having the option to fly down instead would “greatly open up more competitions to island gymnasts”.
She added the deal would be “amazing” for the club.
The agreement comes in the lead up to the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which are due to be held in Glasgow this summer.
Loganair said the partnership would help families and athletes reach events such as the UK’s biggest display event Gymfest.
Gymnastics clubs in Orkney, Lewis and Uist will also benefit, with each club having to book through a named lead booker to get the discount.
Loganair’s marketing director Lyn MacDonald said that island gymnasts “should feel that national opportunities are within reach”.
“Loganair is proud to help Scottish Gymnastics create more moments for young island athletes to train, compete and be inspired alongside their peers.
“We’re looking forward to seeing how that support helps talent develop over the next three years.”
Scottish Gymnastics chief Doc McKelvey added that the organisation wanted gymnasts and coaches in Scotland’s islands to have the same access as everyone else.
“Over the next three years, we want to see that opportunity translate into more island gymnasts progressing through the sport,” he added.
Meanwhile, Shetland Gymnastics Club is continuing its wait to get into its new facility at Cunningsburgh.
Contrary to media reports, Grant stressed that the club was not yet in their soon-to-be Cunningsburgh home and had just been visiting it earlier this week.
Shetland Gymnastics Club has previously said that it hopes to be in the new facility by the end of 2026.
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