Exemptions for island airports’ parking fees

Airport chiefs have sought to quell anger at the introduction of £3-a-day parking charges in Shetland, Orkney and Stornoway with exemptions for some passengers.

Free parking will be offered for compassionate and inter-island travel, hospitalappointmentsand blue badge holders, Highlands and Islands Airport Limited (Hial) announced.

The free drop-off and pick-up period will also be extended from one to two hours when the parking fees are introduced on 1 July.

Shetland MSP Tavish Scott has called for Scottish Government-controlled Hial’s board to be dismissed if it does not scrap the charging plans.

Hial said the moves followed consultation on the charges, announced in March, and a survey of 549 airport users.

Managing director Inglis Lyon said: “As a result, we have broadened the range of concessions and exemptions to better mitigate the implementation of car parking charges on those directly affected.”

The survey found one in four people who parked at the airports might change how they travelled there.

Inverness and Dundee airports already have parking charges.