End of the road for Loch Lomond Seaplanes
April 24, 2025
Earlier this month Loch Lomond Seaplanes confirmed it has ceased trading after being in operation for more than 20 years, after supply chain challenges put the company at risk.
The seaplane operator, which was knowns for its scenic flights over Scotland’s west coast, officially confirmed it had ceased trading on 11 April. The announcement was made just one month after the seaplane operator signed a deal with Norway’s Elfly Group to acquire up to five of its all-electric NOEMI (No emissions) seaplane.
End of an era
Loch Lomond Seaplanes, which was established in 2004 when it became the first scheduled seaplane operator in Europe since the 1950s, has flown more than 170,000 passengers on its amphibious Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft. The carrier operated over 1,000 flights annually with up to 12 services a day. The company’s push for the world’s first modern seaplane legislation (allowing the operation of large seaplanes on scheduled services) led to the UK CAA publishing the criteria for licensed water aerodromes in 2006. This has since proved instrumental in establishing similar regulatory permissions elsewhere in the world. A world-renowned seaplanes expert, Loch Lomond Seaplanes’ founder and managing director David West had also supported governments in Croatia and India on seaplane regulations and operations.
Supply chain challenges
Despite the company’s move to adopt a fleet of all-electric amphibious aircraft, West told the Sunday Times that his business was at risk of being plunged into administration. He claimed that a recent routine check on its aircraft found that multiple parts needed replacing but globally supply challenges meant that a shortage of aircraft parts would not be available for months.
West also told the Sunday Times he was hopeful that his company would return and resume flying passengers.
A statement on the company’s website still reads: “Please be advised that Loch Lomond Seaplanes has ceased trading.” Passengers with tickets or a flight booked are advised they will be contacted in the near future. The company’s closure will not only impact regional connectivity, the local economy and those who were employed by the airline, it also highlights the difficulties faced by niche aviation services in maintaining profitability in a constantly evolving and often challenging market.
