Traffic and Travel

Airline Loganair has backed the decision by Highlands and Islands Airport Ltd (HIAL) to centralise air traffic control systems for airports in the Highlands and Islands region and Dundee in Inverness.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has hit out at HIAL’s lack of ambition for the Islands displayed in their announcement that plans for the centralization of Air Traffic Control services are proceeding and that Benbecula Airport is to be downgraded.

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, has condemned the announcement that plans to centralise air traffic control (ATC) in the Highlands and Islands will go ahead, despite fierce opposition from local communities, from the Prospect Union and from a cross section of MSPs.

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) has announced the latest phase of its air traffic management programme aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of its operations in Scotland.

Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan has hosted a meeting in the Scottish Parliament between representatives of the community in Barra and Vatersay and Islands Minister Paul Wheelhouse MSP.

A new high tech paint coating is set to make CalMac ferry MV Loch Seaforth more fuel-efficient.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has called on the Scottish government to introduce a discount fare scheme for transporting goods to and from the Western Isles, on a par with that offered to hauliers using ferries to Orkney and Shetland.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has called for the introduction of discount schemes for transporting goods to and from the islands, similar to those available on Northern Isles ferry services.

Staff are working round the clock to get Scotland’s West Coast ferry service back to normal, according to CalMac boss Robbie Drummond.

Local residents and businesses are asked to note that there may be minor disruption to traffic in some locations while film production ‘Wise Blood’ are shooting at various Lewis locations in the coming weeks.

Loganair has launched its new website, offering clearer information and navigation for customers and making site access from mobile devices much easier than before.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has purchased MV Loch Seaforth after completing a deal with Lloyds Banking Group.

A £14.3 million contract has been awarded by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) to civil engineering and building contractor, RJ McLeod Limited, to carry out upgrade works at Tarbert Ferry Terminal in Harris.

Loganair today moved to reassure its customers who have holidays booked with its interline partner Thomas Cook, which today went out of business.

The Scottish Government has confirmed that it is looking to transfer ship yard Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited (FMEL) into public ownership.

Capacity issues on the ferries network continue to cause difficulties for islanders and once again, Isles MP Angus MacNeil is calling on The Scottish Government to take action to alleviate the problem.

Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil has had discussions with Norwegian consultants on the potential for subsea tunnels for the islands.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has urged Transport Scotland to support as many of the short-term improvements identified in a network plan for Outer Hebrides ferry services as soon as possible and have these in place for summer 2020.