Mail plane returns, school’s heating issues, more Loganair connections, child payment doubled

THE FIRST mail in four days arrived at Sumburgh Airport on Monday morning after Friday’s delivery plane had to turn back as Storm Arwen hit the isles and the airport closed.

On Saturday the mail plane was unable to make it to Shetland due to Aberdeen Airport being closed in the wake of the same storm.

PUPILS attending Bell’s Brae Primary School were sent home at lunchtime today (Monday) due to problems with the school’s heating system.

Shetland Islands Council said the “heating issues” are being looked into by its building services.

LOGANAIR has signed a new partnership with fellow UK regional airlines Aurigny and Blue Islands.

The collaboration will offer new ‘single ticket’ connections across the country, with existing links between the operators expanding.

Loganair says this will result in “seamless” travel connections across their route networks, which includes airports in the likes of the Isle of Man and Guernsey.

Loganair chief executive Jonathan Hinkles said: “Working together will offer a wider choice for customers and I’m heartened to see excellent progress already being made across areas of technical co-operation between the three airlines.”

SNP HIGHLANDS and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has welcomed her party’s plans to double the Scottish Child Payment to £20 a week from April.

The benefit payment supports low income families with children aged under six.

“Doubling of the Scottish Child Payment is an absolutely needed step and one that will make such a difference in tackling child poverty,” Roddick said.

“No family should have to struggle, it is vital to support children and give them a fair start to life.”