Loganair assurances

THE NORTHERN isles’ three LibDem parliamentarians have received assurances from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that Loganair’s lifeline service meets European safety requirements.

The beleaguered airline is under pressure to improve its reliability and service standards after losing the travelling public’s trust in the wake of a spate of technical faults and flight cancellations.

Earlier this week, northern isles MP Alistair Carmichael, Shetland MSP Tavish Scott and Orkney MSP Liam McArthur met with senior management from the CAA.

On Wednesday they said that public confidence in the safety and reliability of their lifeline air services is of paramount importance.

Carmichael said: “The Civil Aviation Authority clarified to us that Loganair’s services meet European safety requirements.

“They further confirmed that the CAA remains in close contact with all commercial airlines, including Loganair, on a on a continual basis to provide safety oversight and advice.

“Loganair has acknowledged that improving reliability of their services is an absolute priority.

“This will, of course, require action on a number of fronts. In the meantime, we remain determined to keep representing the interests and views of our constituents, who depend on these lifeline services.”

Back in October, UK transport minister Robert Goodwill told Carmichael that the CAA was aware of the difficulties Loganair was facing in its engineering department, but was not concerned about safety at the moment.