McArthur urges Loganair to reconsider disruptive timetable changes

Orkney’s MSP Liam McArthur has today called on Loganair to reconsider recent changes to its Kirkwall-Edinburgh route.

The latest changes, which were rolled out at the start of this month, will see certain weekday returns routed via Shetland this winter. It follows an earlier decision by Loganair that the Edinburgh aircraft will no longer be ‘night stopping’ in Orkney from January. This means a later departure and shorter day for those traveling south, a move that has been roundly criticised by businesses and other regular users of the service.

Mr McArthur has written again to Loganair’s management making clear his anger at these further changes. He has also shared his concerns with Connectivity Minister, Jim Fairlie and urged the Scottish Government to back his calls for Loganair to reverse the changes on the Kirkwall-Edinburgh route at the earliest opportunity.

Commenting further, Mr McArthur said:

“Loganair’s decision to now route flights via Shetland represents a downgrading of the service provided to Orkney. Indeed, it makes a day return to Edinburgh or Glasgow effectively impossible for those with business in the central belt.

“I have heard from many constituents over the past few weeks who now find they are faced with additional accommodation costs as a result of these changes.  It may be a quieter time of the year, but that doesn’t mean islanders don’t need to travel for work or personal reasons.

“Loganair’s management have previously assured me that they would ‘listen’ to the views of customers following changes to the timetable announced last year. Those views are now abundantly clear.

"I have written to Loganair urging them to reverse these changes at the earliest opportunity. I have also sought a reassurance that the merging of Orkney and Shetland’s lifeline services will not be an approach adopted on an annual basis.

“Having spoken to the Connectivity Minister about these concerns, I have now written to him seeking his backing for my calls for a rethink by Loganair. Reduced connectivity for our island communities should be concern for the government.

“I am grateful to constituents who taken the time to get in touch with me. Hopefully, Loganair will take account of these concerns and respond appropriately.”