One free flight for islanders per year suggested as ADS alternative
THE SCOTTISH Government has been encouraged to explore a scheme where islanders are offered one free air fare per year.
Green councillor Alex Armitage said it could be “more equitable” for people in low-income households if they were offered the chance to travel free once a year.
Armitage said the current air discount scheme (ADS) – which offers islanders 50 per cent off their core air fares – was still resulting in ticket prices that were too high for many Shetlanders.
And he said those on higher incomes were currently able to take advantage of the ADS system, by flying more frequently while others could not.
The Highlands and Islands ADS is subsidised by the Scottish Government, but offered on Loganair routes for residents through islands such as Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles.
Loganair chief executive Luke Farajallah was hugely supportive of Armitage’s proposal – and said it “sticks to the heart of what we’re trying to achieve”.
Armitage said the idea had been brought to him a member of the public, who was concerned that the ADS did not allow everyone to fly to or from Shetland.
The 50 per cent discount was “unaffordable to very many people” still, he told Tuesday’s external transport forum.
One free air fare per year “might be more equitable” for people on lower wages, the Shetland South councillor said.
“Currently they’re being priced out,” Armitage added.
“If you can’t afford it, it might make more sense – people have increasing costs of living, reduced disposable income.
“You would be providing a lifeline air service for people that are really hard up.”
Farajallah said ensuring more people could use their air services was a key driving force for Loganair.
He pointed to an initiative which will allow one child under 12 to travel “fare free” per accompanying adult.
The Loganair chief said they were eager to see what the uptake would be from that scheme.
He promised to discuss Armitage’s suggestion with the Scottish Government, adding that air travel should be “affordable for everyone”.
Asked about Loganair’s fares, chief commercial officer Ronnie Matheson said there was a “really difficult balance” to be struck between keeping flights affordable and the rising price of aviation fuel.
The airline also gave an update on its new fleet of electric aircraft, with five purchased by Loganair in July.
‘Historic moment’ as Loganair purchases five all-electric planes
The ALIA CX300 aircraft will operate from existing runways and can recharge in 20 to 40 minutes, with cargo operations to be supported in the first instance.
Loganair’s head of government Simon McNamara said the fleet could cover 100 nautical miles, and had already been tested on a route from Kirkwall to Glasgow – stopping off in Wick, Inverness and Aberdeen on the way.
He said they expected the electric aircraft to be approved by safety authorities for flights in the next year or two.
A huge benefit was their cost, McNamara said, with the average cost of electricity per flight just £14.30.
That was an 82 per cent saving on the cost of aviation fuel on a similar Loganair flight, he told the forum, which came to £78.05 for the same route.
“The first use will be freight operations, but we’ll have the option to convert these in to passenger options,” he added.
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