McArthur secures assurances from Loganair on improved communication  

Orkney’s MSP, Liam McArthur has today met with Loganair CEO Luke Farajallah and Simon McNamara, Head of Corporate and Government Affairs to discuss concerns around the airline’s approach to communicating with passengers as well as the consolidation of  Kirkwall and Sumburgh services to and from Edinburgh.  

Loganair representatives accepted that communication with customers and the wider public could be improved and that lessons would be learned following the widespread travel disruption at the start of the year. Assurances were given that more proactive use of social media and other ways of keeping people updated would be taken forward.  

Loganair also confirmed that the current consolidation of Orkney and Shetland services to and from Edinburgh will end on March 9th 2026. A commitment was also given that any similar timetable changes required to allow for planned maintenance in future will be communicated more clearly and proactively to passengers and the wider public.  

Mr McArthur is due to visit Loganair’s Glasgow headquarters at the start of next month to meet with senior representatives responsible for the airline’s operations as well as customer services.  

Commenting after the meeting, Mr McArthur said:  

“Nobody denies that the weather across the north of Scotland at the start of January was extreme and presented enormous challenges to Loganair in maintaining any sort of service.  

“However, poor communications undoubtedly compounded an already stressful situation for passengers trying to reorganise their travel plans.

“I welcome Loganair’s acknowledgment of these issues and commitment to improving communications, including through more proactive use of social media and updates to their website.  This may not address all of the issues, but can certainly help in reducing confusion and uncertainty. 

“I was also grateful for confirmation that the current consolidation of Orkney and Shetland services to and from Edinburgh will end on 9th March. I am concerned, however, that this becomes a pattern going forward.

“While I recognise the critical importance of undertaking regular maintenance of aircraft, I see no reason why this should come at the cost of routinely downgrading Orkney and Shetland’s lifeline air service."