First Minister to raise reliability issues with Loganair

Scotland’s First Minister is going to raise reliability concerns with airline company Loganair.

At First Minister’s Questions today, Liam McArthur MSP urged Nicola Sturgeon to make direct contact with airline following yesterday’s news that a Loganair flight was forced into an emergency landing at Aberdeen Airport.

Mr McArthur said: “For those of us living and working in the Highlands & Islands, Loganair is the only provider of scheduled air services. They are a genuine lifeline for many businesses, patients travelling to hospital appointments as well as the wider public.

“Yesterday, yet another Loganair flight was forced to make an emergency landing – the second in less than a week. I know the transport minister takes this seriously, but given the lifeline nature of these services, will the First Minister now agree to make direct representations to the airline?

“Will she agree to meet, or speak with, the chief executive of Loganair to reiterate the need to get the current problems sorted? And will she stress again that regaining public confidence in the reliability and safety of these services must be the number one priority?”

In response, Ms Sturgeon confirmed that as well as asking her transport minister, Derek Mackay to keep Mr McArthur and other Highlands & Islands MSPs informed of his discussions with Loganair, she would make direct contact with the company to make clear her expectations.

Commenting after the exchanges, Mr McArthur said: “Air services to and from the Northern Isles are a vital lifeline link. That is why the ongoing disruptions are causing so much frustration and anger locally.

“Time and again I have met and spoken with Loganair senior management, and I know that they take this matter seriously. However, with each passing week the situation shows no signs of getting better. Indeed, the recurrence of emergency landings has only served to heighten concerns amongst members of the public.

“It is therefore welcome that the First Minister has agreed to personally make representation to Loganair. It is essential that efforts are re-doubled in order that public confidence in our vital lifeline links can be restored.”