Apply for airport jobs, islanders told

Extra flights have been secured for Coll and Colonsay but islanders are being urged to apply for airport jobs if they want to keep them.

Island communities across Argyll and Bute will get additional flights to the mainland from September 2023 after Argyll and Bute Council secured a new contract with Hebridean Airways (Airtask) that includes an extra flight for Coll on a Friday during the summer months in 2024. It also includes additional Saturday flights on Colonsay throughout the summer.

The new contract follows an extensive consultation that asked communities and businesses for their views, including preferred flight times and potential for the use of drones to deliver some services.

But to help maintain these air services, the council is appealing to island residents to apply for a number of relief airport positions on Colonsay and Coll. The paid positions include firefighter and air ground operator.

Councillor Andrew Kain, policy lead for roads and transport, said: “Despite year on year cuts to the council budget, we recognise air services provide an important lifeline for island communities. Thank you to everyone who took part in the consultation. Based on this feedback, we have managed to secure an improved service with additional flights within our limited fixed budget.

“To help continue this service, we need people on our islands to take up a number of relief positions. This is a legal requirement for all airports and without relief workers; the service may be at risk. I would encourage anyone who is able to apply for the job to help the whole community.”

Although there is no legal requirement to provide air services, Argyll and Bute Council runs Oban, Coll and Colonsay airports.

More details about airport jobs can be found at obanandtheislesairports.com/ isle-of-coll-and-colonsay-relief-airport-roles.