‘Family and friends’ concessionary fare approved for flights to Fair Isle and Foula

MEMBERS of transport partnership ZetTrans have approved a new ‘family and friends’ concessionary fare scheme for flights to the islands of Fair Isle and Foula.

The interim pilot project will initially run from 1 April to 31 March next year.

Eligible resident households on each island will be able to nominate up to six named individuals who would be entitled to travel at the islander fare on the relevant route.

The current fare for a return adult trip is £112.75 for standard travel and £55.20 for residents of Fair Isle and Foula (the islander fare).

An increase of 5.3 per cent for fares in 2026/27 was also approved at a meeting of ZetTrans this morning (Thursday).

The idea of a discounted fare for family and friends has been spoken about for years, and it is supported by the two island communities.

A report to ZetTrans members said it is deemed that the cost to friends and family members travelling to the islands can act as a “barrier to maintaining important personal and community links”.

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ZetTrans member Moraig Lyall suggested that the wording of the policy be amended from people only being able to be nominated by one household at any one time, to one household per island at any one time.

She said there may be people with links to both Fair Isle and Foula and said it would unfair for them to only benefit from cheaper flights to one island.

ZetTrans’ lead officer Michael Craigie said a pilot approach is a good one “because there is learning to be had for both ZetTrans and the council and for the communities themselves”.

He said the key one from the communities was connectivity – not just physically but socially too.

Shetland West member Liz Peterson, whose ward includes Foula, said she “really welcomed” the move.

“Hopefully all the communities will be happy with this,” she said.

The scheme would be monitored during the financial year and would inform how fares are set in 2027/28.