Loganair, the ambitious Scottish airline, announced yesterday it has acquired an engineering and maintenance company based in Aberdeen.

Loganair, the ambitious Scottish airline, announced yesterday it has acquired an engineering and maintenance company based in Aberdeen.

Following detailed negotiations, the airline will take over Caledonian Airborne Engineering (CAE), which also includes a ground-handling operation, for an undisclosed sum.

CAE provides maintenance and ground-handling support for a number of commercial aircraft operators at Aberdeen and Newcastle airports, and employs a total of 35 staff.

Loganair said CAE will strengthen its maintenance operation and bring onboard people with key skills.

CAE employs more than 30 staff at Aberdeen Airport and four people in Newcastle.

Peter Tierney, Loganair's chief executive, underlined the importance of the deal.

He said: "This move is strategically significant to us and we are delighted that Caledonian Airborne Engineering has become part of Loganair as they have a great reputation and a good customer base - both of which we are committed to maintaining.

"We will continue to service Caledonian Airborne Engineering's third-party customers and see this as an excellent opportunity to diversify and grow our business and engineering base."

CAE has been providing third-party line maintenance support to a number of operators, including Loganair, for more than 10 years.

News of the CAE purchase followed an announcement earlier this week that Loganair is to establish new routes and a base at Dundee Airport.

Loganair announced in January that Flybe, the low-cost airline, will become its new franchise partner from October.