Scottish Government agree to meeting on Air Discount Scheme

The Scottish Government has agreed to meet with representatives of island communities over concerns about the restriction of the Air Discount Scheme (ADS) for business travel.

An urgent meeting to discuss the implications for remote island communities was requested by OIC Convener, Councillor Stephen Hagan; Angus Campbell, leader of the Western Islands Council and Josie Simpson, leader of the Shetland Islands Council.

Business travel was removed from the scheme in April this year.

In a letter to Councillor Hagan, transport minister Keith Brown wrote:”Whilst I do appreciate there will be an impact on those private companies and public and voluntary sector organisations which have used the scheme for their business travel in the past, this is not the intended purpose of the scheme.”

Councillor Hagan said he was disappointed by the minister’s response, adding:   “We will continue to make every effort to have the ADS reinstated for all island users.”