A united front from the islands to fight air service cuts
A rearguard action against cuts to Loganair’s lifeline services has been mounted by a range of public and private sector organisations in the Western Isles.
As the impacts of Loganair’s decision to withdraw morning services between Inverness and Stornoway become more apparent, pressure is mounting on the Scottish Government to intervene.
The Transport Minister, Stephen Flynn, has so far washed his hands of the issue, saying it is a commercial decision for Loganair – despite it costing millions of pounds to the NHS alone in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland.
As well as the Western Isles, there is political pressure from Shetland for Ministerial intervention. The recently-elected SNP MSP has joined in calls for a fundamental review of how island air services are provided.
Loganair are looking for £1.3 million a year from the Scottish Government, via Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, to reinstate the Inverness services. They had been in negotiation with HIAL since February but island communities were kept in the dark.
The airline has also warned that further cuts could follow, including the possible complete withdrawal of the Inverness link, unless their demands are met.
Now Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership, HIE, SSE Transmission and Outer Hebrides Tourism have joined forces to question the process.
The Comhairle has also called on the Scottish Government to reintroduce the Air Discount Scheme for business travel, in the face of exorbitant fares inflicted by Loganair.
Councillor Duncan Macinnes, chair of the Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership, said: “Loganair has taken a business decision to reduce a service that is a lifeline for many in our communities. Such decisions should not occur without proper consultation and full consideration of impacts.
“Organisations from the public and private sectors have made clear that this decision will come at a significant cost and I call on Loganair, HIAL, Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government to come together urgently to find a resolution”.
He added: “It is also essential that steps are taken to increase resilience on these essential routes. As this situation shows, we cannot be wholly reliant on a single commercial operator for lifeline connectivity”.
Cllr Paul Steele, leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar said: “Major employers and investors in the islands have confirmed the detrimental impact this decision will have on the delivery of critical infrastructure projects and key sectors such as tourism, aquaculture, and construction.
“There is over £7 billion of investment forecast for the Isle of Lewis over the next decade and we are already seeing activity on the ground across energy, digital and other infrastructure.
“For a commercial operator to fail to see the business opportunity associated with this service is baffling. Loganair’s response to queries on the rationale for this decision and what they have done to make the route commercially viable, including areas such as cost, pricing structures, fleet utilisation, and looking at future demand, has been wholly unsatisfactory”.
Councillor Steele said: “This decision will have a significant impact on island-to-mainland connectivity and the Comhairle’s work to encourage individuals to live and work in the Western Isles.
“Being well connected is essential to workforce recruitment and retention and this reduction in services has the potential to exacerbate depopulation and our serious recruitment challenges in areas such as social care.”
Joanna Peteranna, director of area operations with HIE, said: “There can be no doubt that implementation of these cuts will have a negative impact on the Outer Hebrides economy and threaten community resilience.
“Island communities and businesses rely on transport connections to the mainland and regular, reliable flights are needed to support access to many essential services, including healthcare.”
Outer Hebrides Tourism added: “The viability of the islands’ visitor sector is totally dependent on a healthy transport infrastructure – a fact our members are very aware of after years of challenges and disruption with the ferry network – so the withdrawal of flights from the Inverness schedule is a significant blow.
“A key segment of our visitors rely on regional connectivity to allow them to experience as much of Scotland as they can. They enjoy coming here as part of a wider trip and spend generously.
“There are also implications for workforce travel, which is a key contributor to our business base and the ability of island companies to efficiently connect with suppliers and mainland customers.
“Ultimately this decision, taken without consultation or transparency, could threaten the viability of some local businesses and the livelihoods attached to them”.
The tourism organisation’s statement, on behalf of members, called on the Scottish Government “to hold Loganair and HIAL to account over this decision which flies in the face of the National Islands Plan and its repopulation agenda”.
Sandy Mactaggart, director of offshore delivery at SSEN Transmission, said: “Sustainable and reliable transport links are essential to the long-term prosperity and resilience of the Western Isles and Scotland's other main island groups, with these key lifeline services supporting local communities, businesses and inward investment.
“As we continue to invest in critical electricity infrastructure in the islands, maintaining strong transport links is critical to underpin economic development, attracting key workforce personnel and delivering wider benefits for the region.”