McArthur presses Loganair to accept responsibility to maintain lifeline air services

Liam McArthur, Orkney’s MSP has today met with Loganair management again to urge the airline to accept its responsibility when it comes to maintaining acceptable and affordable levels of service on lifeline routes for island communities.  

This follows news that Loganair are set to cut services on the Inverness-Kirkwall-Sumburgh and Inverness-Stornoway routes, citing an unsustainable operational framework and insufficient support from HIAL. Last week, Mr McArthur called on the First Minister to instruct HIAL to reach an agreement with Loganair that would see the service retained.  

In the past year, Mr McArthur has engaged in ongoing dialogue with Loganair about the impact of the seasonal consolidation of the Orkney and Shetland routes, as well as the prohibitive costs of tickets. 

Mr McArthur said:  

“These are significant cuts to a lifeline service that will have a serious impact on those who rely on the route, including many NHS patients, while also undermining connectivity between Orkney and Shetland. I made clear to the First Minister last week my expectation that HIAL engages constructively to reach a solution that protects these services.  

“But Loganair also need to accept their responsibility as providers of a lifeline service supported by high levels of public subsidy. Historically, an approach has been taken by Loganair that recognises that more profitable routes help support delivery across the network. 

“But these proposed cuts along with seasonal consolidation of the Orkney and Shetland routes give rise to concerns that the overall Loganair network doesn't meet islanders’ needs. With fares also going up, these lifeline services are becoming more inaccessible for more island residents and businesses.

“I believe a strategic review of air services across the Highlands & Islands region is overdue and have supported cross party calls for this to take place.

“Any review will take time, however, and in the meantime it’s islanders who are losing out. They need Loganair, HIAL and Scottish Government to work collaboratively to protect these lifeline services”.