SCOTTISH airline Loganair ensured Christmas came early for a group of children affected by cancer by whisking them off to meet Santa on a special flight from Aberdeen to Shetland.

Forty people – 23 children and their families and carers – who are receiving support from CLAN Cancer Support’s Children and Families Service were flown to a festive lunch at the Shetland Hotel.

All the passengers, who were looked after by Loganair cabin crew manager Avril McEwan, have been affected by cancer in some way, whether first hand or as a family member or friend.

On arrival at Sumburgh Airport they were met by local families who benefit from the children and families service on Shetland, and enjoyed a Christmas-themed afternoon, complete with presents provided by Loganair staff. The children were able to have pictures taken with Santa and his elves – who bore a striking resemblance to three Loganair cabin crew.

Loganair’s strategic corporate partnership with CLAN Cancer Support was announced early in October, and CLAN is the airline’s charity partner for 2018.

Loganair commercial director Kay Ryan said: “It was a real pleasure to have CLAN Cancer Support on board for the first event in an important relationship for us.

“When choosing a charity partner for next year, it became obvious that CLAN was the perfect choice, linking as it does Aberdeen, where we have a main base, and Orkney and Shetland, where we have stations and have provided lifeline services for many years.”