ISLANDS MSP DISAPPOINTED WITH REDUCTION IN NUMBER OF FLIGHTS

Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, has criticised Eastern Airways for their recent decision to reduce the number of flights on its Aberdeen – Stornoway route.

In March the company introduced two flights a day to Aberdeen, as well as flights on the weekend. This came shortly after their decision to withdraw from the Glasgow – Stornoway route and was warmly welcomed at the time by offshore workers.

The service has also suffered from reliability problems - with a number of flights being cancelled at short notice - and the islands MSP has raised both these issues directly with the airline.

Alasdair Allan said:

“We are at the stage where Eastern Airways is risking reputational damage with its casual approach to frequent timetable changes, and the lack of meaningful engagement with service users and other stakeholders.

“Eastern Airways’ correspondence with my colleague Angus MacNeil MP attempts to suggest that insufficient passenger growth motivated this decision. However, fewer passengers will use a service that is known to be unreliable.

“Island-based oil and gas workers are relying on a punctual air service to meet their needs. There have been far too many cancelled flights and the decision to revert back to one plane a weekday will mean many will have to spend more time on the road and less at home with their families.

“I have urged the company to reverse this decision.”