Loganair calls for island flight strategy to avoid 'last resort' cuts

Loganair is calling on the UK and Scottish Governments to deliver a robust flight strategy for island routes to avoid what it calls “last resort cuts”.

The airline says it has “temporarily reduced” flights from Inverness to the Western Isles, as well as cuts to Inverness to Orkney and Shetland flights due to financial constraints.

The Inverness-Stornoway and Inverness-Kirkwall-Sumburgh routes have been “consistently losing money for some years”, according to the airline.

They have been reduced from daily journeys to a weekend-only service.

The routes are seen as a lifeline for people on the islands, particularly those seeking medical care and GP appointments on the mainland.

Health boards say that the withdrawal of the regular morning flight between Inverness and Stornoway, which also returns before midday, has had an impact on appointments.

Simon McNamara, head of government and corporate affairs at Loganair, says the flights could be reinstated from October if a funding gap is agreed with Highland and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL).

He said Scotland, and the UK as a whole, does not have a “clear strategy on island connectivity for routes that need to be served but are not necessarily commercially viable”.

Mr McNamara called the cuts to services a “last resort”.

The HIAL is a government-owned body which operates 11 airports at Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Dundee, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick John O’Groats.

Transport Scotland urged Loganair and HIAL to “work collaboratively to ensure that the services can be sustained”.

A HIAL spokesperson said: “Negotiations with Loganair over the future of routes between Inverness Airport and Kirkwall, Stornoway and Sumburgh airports remain ongoing.

“We remain committed to supporting these routes and working with Loganair to provide the best possible outcome for the island communities they serve.”

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government wants to see Highland and Islands Airports Ltd and Loganair work collaboratively to ensure that the services can be sustained, recognising their value to local communities and business.

“There have been recent meetings between Loganair and HIAL. These discussions are ongoing and we urge both parties to continue dialogue in order to find a commercial solution.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “We know this is disappointing news for those who live and travel between the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

“This is a commercial decision taken by Loganair, and we are working with them and industry partners to improve air links across the country.”