Loganair apologises for ‘incorrect’ ADS comments
LOGANAIR has apologised after “incorrectly” saying that removing the air discount scheme (ADS) would not affect its passenger numbers.
The airline has now walked back its comments after one of its top officials claimed that the abolition of the ADS would have no impact on passenger numbers, sparking uproar online.
Loganair’s head of government and corporate affairs Simon McNamara told the Scottish Government’s transport committee he did not believe losing ADS would affect the number of people choosing to fly on Loganair flights.
ADS is a Scottish Government scheme and offers islanders a 50 per cent discount on their flight fares to and from the isles, with around 88,000 people eligible.
The story was first reported by Shetland News on Wednesday and soon led to strong condemnations from politicians and from locals.
Removing ADS would not affect passenger numbers, Loganair official claims
A Loganair spokesperson told Shetland News today (Thursday) that they had “incorrectly suggested thar removing the Air Discount Scheme would not affect Loganair’s passenger numbers.”
“We’re sorry for the confusion,” the spokesperson said.
“ADS makes flying more affordable for island residents, and its removal would reduce the number able to travel.
“It remains one of the Scottish Government’s most effective tools for supporting island connectivity.
“We’ve written to the committee to formally correct the record, and we remain fully engaged with government, councils and island communities on the issues raised in yesterday’s session.”
Shetland’s MSP Hannah Mary Goodlad wrote on social media this morning that people had been in touch with her about the “very unhelpful” comments from Loganair.
“I resoundingly dispute what Loganair said yesterday,” she said.
“The Scottish Government support of ADS absolutely does have an impact on the number of people that choose to fly.”
The SNP politician, who is also the public finance minister, added that the Scottish Government had “no plans to remove the ADS scheme”.
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Orkney’s MSP Liam McArthur meanwhile said that Loganair passengers would be “choking on their caramel wafers” at the suggestion that losing ADS would have no impact.
He described those comments as “utter nonsense”.
Committee convener Willie Rennie said yesterday he found it “really difficult to believe” that Loganair’s passenger numbers would not be affected if ADS was not in place.
Scottish Labour’s Donald MacKinnon, MSP for the Western Isles, added that ADS was “undoubtedly” encouraging people to fly on Loganair routes.
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