The following statement is issued on behalf of Loganair:

Loganair regrets to confirm that one of its Shorts 360 aircraft ditched into the Firth of Forth, near Granton Harbour, soon after take off from Edinburgh Airport this evening just after 5.30 pm.

The aircraft, registration G-BNMT, was operating a charter flight to Belfast for the Royal Mail, using flight number LC670A. It had two pilots on board, but NO passengers.

The aircraft is painted in the colours of British Airways, through a franchise agreement between the two carriers, but as a charter service this flight was NOT operated in conjunction with BA. British Airways is nonetheless offering every assistance to Loganair.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch has been informed. Loganair will co-operate fully with the investigation.

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