In brief for 13 May 2010

Ash impact

LOGANAIR on Wednesday reported that they had suffered a 25 per cent drop in passenger numbers during April due to disruptions caused by volcanic ash.

The airline said that a total of 122 flights in and out of Shetland had to be cancelled, inconveniencing around 2,200 passengers.

Following more disruptions on Monday this week, Loganair has now been given permission to fly lower than usual to make way for increased transatlantic air traffic using Scottish airspace due to ash clouds in the north Atlantic.

Tall ships shuttle

LIFELINE ferry operator NorthLink is planning to run a time-tabled shuttle service with two vessels during the Tall Ships Races, which comes to Lerwick between 21 and 24 July next year.

Chief executive Bill Davidson said on Wednesday that his company have been in discussion with organisers for some time to find a solution to the logistical problem of allowing crew changes of around 1,500 sailors.

Mr Davidson told a meeting of Shetland Islands Council’s external transportation forum that the plan to have a round the clock service still had to be sanctioned by the Scottish government.

There are also plans for additional flights in and out of Shetland.

Multi tasking traffic warden

A newly appointed traffic warden will patrol the streets of Lerwick as of next Monday.

Angus Meudell will not just hand out tickets to motorists, the qualified plumber will also be looking after the police station in Lerwick as caretaker.