Island leaders back campaign for fairer air fares to the islands
Scotland’s Island Councils have backed a campaign on Facebook for fairer air fares to the islands.
The page, ‘Islanders against Flybe and Loganair’s excessive prices‘, was set up by Shetland resident Scott Preston on Saturday night and as of Tuesday had gathered over 11,000 supporters, with that number continuing to increase throughout the week.
Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Councillor Angus Campbell, said yesterday: “The Comhairle, along with Orkney and Shetland Islands Council, will continue to keep this as a priority in the Our Islands Our Future campaign and will ask that it is put high on the agenda for the first meeting of the newly established transport forum, which will specifically be dealing with islands’ transport issues.
“A number of islanders have questioned why fares are so high.
“As an example, after a quick look on the Flybe website this afternoon, I notice that a flight from Stornoway to Glasgow, on Wednesday 10th June, and returning Thursday 11th June, would cost a total of £351. Just a few days later, the same company is offering a return flight from Aberdeen to Faro, in Portugal, for just £21 more.”