The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Worries over suspension of lifeline routes
Loganair has suspended Glasgow and Inverness flights from its Sumburgh schedule this winter because of low demand.
The last flights to and from Glasgow to the Shetland destination for a number of months are scheduled for October 26. The Inverness service is also to stop from October 21.
Loganair said a limited schedule of Glasgow flights will be retained over the Christmas and New Year for increased demand.
Glasgow and Inverness services will resume as part of Loganair’s summer 2021 timetable from late March. Edinburgh flights will also be shared between Orkney and Shetland for the coming winter season.
Winter is a quieter period for airlines, but wi t h Glasgow and Inverness flights on hold, the only mainland destinations for Shetland flyers over the coming months will be Aberdeen or Edinburgh.
Loganair chief executive Jonathan Hinkles said: “C hanging flights and suspending routes is a step we do not take lightly, but where travel demand remains at less than half of last year’s levels due to the pandemic, we simply cannot fly near- empty aeroplanes to maintain a full schedule.
“Unlike other forms of public transport, Loganair’s services are operated on a commercial basis – if we carry no passengers, we receive no income.
“To safeguard the future of the remaining services, we have had to take action to adjust our schedule for the coming winter and plan to maintain our schedule
from Sumburgh to Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Kirkwall.”
Chairman of Shetland Islands Council ’s environment and transport committee Ryan Thomson, who also chairs the isles’ external transport forum, said he had concerns.
He said: “I’m fully appreciative of the unprecedented pressures
on Loganair due to the substantial reductions in numbers as C o v i d -1 9 continues to have impacts on p e o p l e ’s need to travel.
“However, the fact is that air services provide critical lifeline links.
“Therefore, it is important we engage with Scottish Government and Loganair to discuss the
sustainability of services over the winter and beyond.
“To help inform these discussions, it would be helpful if anyone who has been impac ted by the schedule changes over the winter or has any concerns about the future of air services, contact myself, ZetTrans or SIC transport planning with any details they feel important.”