No air fare cut for isles firms

The Scottish Government will not reinstate the Air Discount Scheme (ADS) for island businesses due to its cost.

The decision was confirmed by Islands and Transport Minister Humza Yousaf in a letter written on Wednesday.

In his letter, Mr Yousaf said the government decided against granting flight discounts to businesses again due to affordability.

Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (Hitrans), in conjunction with island councils, called on the government last year to reinstate the discount after removing it in April 2011.

Shetland Islands Council's transport manager, Michael Craigie, told yesterday's ZetTrans meeting in Lerwick that he felt a “credible case" was

“The issue should be raised again”

made for giving businesses discounted fights again.

Councillor Davie Sandison said it was a “short-sighted approach" which would be “extremely detrimental" to businesses in Shetland.

Vice-chairman Robbie McGregor, an SNP member, echoed those views and said the issue should be raised again with the government.

Mr Yousaf said the case for reinstating ADS for business travel was “robust" and demonstrated its potential benefits.

But he said the government simply does not have the budget at the moment to make a U-turn.

The ADS scheme was introduced in 2006 by the then transport minister Tavish Scott, offering islanders a 40% discount on air fares, not including tax.