Isle’s air link is saved
£7m planes plan rescues Barra’s beach landing strip
IT has a runway like no other – the only place in the world where scheduled flights land on the beach.
But a lack of suitable, modern planes meant a question mark hung over the unique air service to the tiny island of Barra.
Now, however, flights to the Hebridean island – which provide a lifeline service for residents and an unforgettable experience for tourists – have been saved.
The Scottish Government has promised to invest up to £7 million to buy two new planes capable of landing on the sand.
The Government will buy the planes and will then tender a contract for a private company to run subsidised flights to Barra. The current contract, which expires in March next year, is held by Loganair, using two Twin Otter planes – the only type of commercial aircraft capable of taking off from and landing on Barra’s tidal sands.
However, the ageing planes and the growing cost of maintaining them threw the future of the Glasgow to Barra service into doubt.
Now, though, Transport Minister Keith Brown has confirmed to Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan that plans are in place to order new planes – thus safeguarding the service.
The SNP’s Dr Allan said: ‘The air routes are a lifeline service and are crucial for everything from the health service to tourism. They are vitally important connections to the mainland and to Uist for the many islanders who use the service.’
Last night a spokesman for Transport Scotland said: ‘The Scottish Government has stated its commitment to
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acquire aircraft to operate its three Public Service Obligation air services and the procurement process is underway and funding is in place.
‘Our objective is to have the aircraft in place from April 1, 2013 subject to the satisfactory completion of all regulatory compliance issues.
‘Through acquiring aircraft, the Scottish Government wants to ensure that the communities served will have access to reliable connections which meet their needs.’
Aircraft can only land at Barra Airport when the tide is out.
The planes land opposite the old home of Whisky Galore author Sir Compton Mackenzie.
Many passengers take the flight to Barra just to say they have experienced the unique beach landing.
Last year, the airport was named as one of the most extreme landing destinations in the world.
Barra Airport was judged one of the most hair-raising places to fly to by National Geographic magazine.
The airport was also recently shortlisted as one of the world’s most stunning. The accolade came from private jet booking network, PrivateFly.com, which shortlisted Barra alongside Las Vegas and Hong Kong.
At the time, Michael Galbraith, station manager at Barra Airport, said: ‘Our beach surface actually gives passengers a much softer landing experience in comparison to tarmac.’