The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Business leader urges action on flight failures
Chief executive gives up on Dundee service after a series of issues
Calls for action have been issued after a businessman announced he has pulled his firm from all future Dundee Airport flights.
Paul Durrant, chief executive of the UK Games Fund, said he had given up on the service following a series of issues flying between Dundee and London Stansted.
He also claimed a lack of investment in the route could see the future of the airport put at risk and warned more businesses would be quick to leave unless major changes are made.
Flight operator Loganair said more than three quarters of its flights operate exactly as scheduled.
Dundee Labour group leader Kevin Keenan revealed he chose to bypass the city’s airport himself on a recent leisure trip and flew from Edinburgh after previously experiencing issues.
He said: “While I may only have been at risk of missing a show, for businesses this could mean missing a client or an important meeting.
“Passengers need to have confidence in the service and that needs to be built up over time – I just hope they can win back the trust of people like Mr Durrant.
“The airport will soon be looking for subsidy from the council and we will need to make sure we are getting good value for money.”
Depute Conservative group leader Philip Scott said stakeholders must now act to safeguard the future of the airport.
He said: “We need travel links that are fit for the 21st Century and clearly we’re not making the best use of it.
“Mr Durrant has already pulled his business from the airport and I would worry that others could soon follow.”
Councillor Fraser Macpherson revealed the issue had been the topic of hot discussion at a meeting of the Dundee Airport consultative committee on Friday.
However, the Lib Dem group leader rejected any assertion the problem lies with Dundee Airport or the airline.
He said: “I’m satisfied Loganair are doing everything they can.
“The problem is really with air traffic control at Stansted and services across the country have been having this same issue.
“I understand Loganair have called on the National Air Traffic Services to move forward with airspace modernisation and I would certainly support this.”
A spokesman for Dundee Airport declined to comment.