Also in the news / Loganair profit, community learning, lifeboat shop
LOGANAIR says it made a pre-tax profit of nearly £11 million in the year ending March 2023 – more than double that of the previous year.
It is the second year in a row the airline has posted a profit as it recovers from the Covid pandemic. The previous year’s profit was just shy of £5 million.
During these years the company was led by Jonathan Hinkles, who stepped down as CEO in January.
New CEO Luke Farajallah said: “It’s encouraging to see we achieved further strong growth in our financial accounts to March 2023, ensuring we can continue to operate lifeline services sustainably and on a year-round basis.
“Whilst the result to the end of March 2023 looks encouraging, it will not be lost on anyone that the current financial year, that will finish at the end of this month, has been one of fleet transformation, operational challenge and inflationary pressures – the latter of which is affecting businesses across Scotland and the UK.
“We are absolutely committed to building resilience and enhancing our performance for our customers, meaning our future results will reflect the significant investment being made.”
EDUCATION Scotland has published what the council says is a positive inspection report for Community Learning and Development (CLD) in Shetland.
Among the conclusions are that partnership working is embedded in many aspects of local service delivery, while partners are ambitious and aspirational about tackling inequality and inequity across Shetland.
Other positives included the role of youth workers in schools and CLD staff having a good understanding of local profiles to identify gaps in provision.
Some areas of development were mentioned, but no further action is required.
Chair of the council’s education and families committee Davie Sandison said: “This is a very positive report for our staff and for all our partners in Community Learning and Development in Shetland. Everyone involved fulfils an important role to help tackle themes of inclusion, inequality and poverty, which are key challenges of our time.”
THE LERWICK Lifeboat shop has had a recent refresh with new displays and RNLI merchandise, ahead of the summer season of opening.
Staff from the RNLI charity visited Shetland earlier this week to update the displays and merchandise at the shop in the Old Tollbooth Building on Lerwick’s waterfront.
Many new RNLI branded items are now in stock, with new designs and artwork across a range of clothing, homeware, stationery, toys and gift items.
The shop will open for the first date of the summer season on Saturday 6 April, from 10.30am to 4pm.
Linda Simpson, joint chair of the Lerwick Ladies Lifeboat Guild, said: “We’re really pleased with the new displays and a new range of really attractive items in the shop for the summer months ahead. We hope these will be popular with customers who will know that with every purchase, they’re helping to save lives at sea.”
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