Concerns to be raised over future of isles air services

The concerns of islanders over the future of the north isles air services are to be aired with Scotland’s Transport Minister.

North isles MSPs Liam McArthur and Tavish Scott have arranged a meeting with the minister, Humza Yousaf, to discuss the loss of key connections serving the isles as well as the future sustainability of competition on the lifeline routes, due to start on 1st September.

According to Mr McArthur, MSP for Orkney, constituents have been asking both MSP’s whether this service will last as no competition has been maintained on the routes in previous years.

Commenting on the issue of flight connections, Orkney’s MSP Liam McArthur said: “Good onward connections are critically important on our lifeline air services. It was hoped that the arrival of competition would offer more choice and greater opportunity to connect onto flights across the UK and internationally.

“Worryingly, the opposite seems to be true. In the absence of any codeshare or similar agreement between Flybe and Loganair, many existing connections will simply cease to be available, making travel to and from the islands more difficult.

“I have written to both airlines urging them to protect connections on routes where they are not competing. I am now looking for the Transport Minister to support to these calls. Given the amount of public funding provided through the Air Discount Scheme, I see no reason why Flybe and Loganair should not be required to deliver a good level of service, including better onward connections.

Mr McArthur added: “I will also be raising with the minister, my concerns about Flybe’s plans to use fire crew for carrying out ground handling at Kirkwall airport. This appears to throw up a host of difficulties, particularly at points in the day when multiple aircraft are arriving or departing.”