Loganair calls for government commitment to protect essential regional routes
ASSUMING additional funding can be found for the Sumburgh – Kirkwall – Inverness route, Loganair is ready to reinstate the service from October, the airline said on Thursday.
In a statement issued by the company’s chief executive Luke Farajallah, the airline also confirmed that the service to Orkney and the Highlands will be reduced to weekend only from the middle of July.
The same applies to the Stornoway to Inverness service.
In his statement, Farajallah responds to criticism and representation made by the affected communities, businesses and their political representatives.
And the airline boss clearly puts the ball in the government’s court to provide the necessary funding and long-term stability to protect vulnerable air routes.
Last week a cross-party group of MSPs, including Shetland’s representative Hannah Mary Goodlad, called on the Scottish Government to do what the could to protect the ‘lifeline’ service between Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Inverness.
But Farajallah said the decision to axe the services during weekdays is set against “one of the most difficult trading periods the airline industry has seen in recent years, with fuel prices doubling in May alone”.
He added: “We recognise the strength of feeling across island communities about the future of lifeline air services from Inverness to the Northern and Western Isles, and we understand how important these connections are for healthcare, work, education, and family life.
“The Inverness–Stornoway and Inverness–Kirkwall–Sumburgh routes matter enormously to us, as do the communities they serve.
“Following many months of discussion with HIAL, Transport Scotland and other stakeholders, services from Inverness will be temporarily reduced from 19 July 2026.”
While described as lifeline by the communities these routes serve, they are operated commercially, and, according to Farajallah, have been loss-making for a sustained period.
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“Assuming the appropriate funding can be found, we are ready to reinstate and resume this service from October,” he said.
“The recent increase in fuel prices, together with escalations in aircraft repair costs, airport fees and route charges, mean that Loganair, HIAL and Transport Scotland must find a way to sustain lifeline routes where passenger numbers are limited.
“As a privately-owned business, Loganair will always play its part in providing air services where they are most needed in Scotland, but we cannot do this alone, and we cannot continue to absorb structural losses indefinitely without affecting the wider resilience of the airline and the vital services it provides.
“We have worked closely with HIAL, Transport Scotland and other stakeholders to explore every available option.
“The shortfall in the proposal put forward was disappointing, but we remain ready and willing to return to the previous level of flying if a sustainable funding solution can be agreed and we want Transport Scotland and the government to move quickly in the interest of islanders.”
He added that all other routes across the Scottish Highlands and Islands remain unchanged.
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