Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, has welcomed improvements to Barra’s air service which will result in more summer capacity.

These changes were announced by Minister for Transport and the Islands Humza Yousaf earlier today. They include 22 additional return flights from Glasgow to Barra in May and early June, and up to 40 additional return flights from Glasgow to Barra from late June to October through a redeployment of capacity from Winter 2018-19 to Summer 2018, subject to on-going discussions with the Barra community.

The Scottish Government supports flights between Barra and Glasgow via a Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract awarded to Loganair.

Alasdair Allan said:

“I am pleased to see the Scottish Government working constructively with the community in Barra to increase flight capacity during the busy summer months.

“Barra is easily one of the most attractive places in Scotland for tourists to visit. These changes should help benefit the local economy while making it easier for residents to get to and from the mainland.

Cllr Donald Manford said:

"A decision to support a continued increase in flights between Barra and Glasgow particularly in this economic climate is quite phenomenal. The confidence the Scottish Government has in our resolve to grow our economy and our community is inspiring.

“The freedom to increase summer flights even further by redeploying some winter flights will be given very careful consideration. On winter days where it's clear that two flights cannot be achieved, the freedom to redeploy them is a significant development. On other flights we must be extremely alert not to curtail the enormous economic opportunity to continually expand our travel season."