A Scottish airline is cutting flights to three destinations from next month, potentially causing chaos for travellers' summer plans. Starting on July 19, Loganair will reduce flights between Inverness and Stornoway, Orkney, and Shetland due to mounting financial pressures.
The airline offers flights across the UK and France, including Paris, Jersey, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and London. However, it can no longer maintain its current level of service "without impacting the wider business".
CEO Cites Rising Costs
CEO Luke Farajallah said the move comes amid rising fuel prices, repair costs, airport fees, and route charges. He told the BBC: "The recent increase in fuel prices, together with escalations in aircraft repair costs, airport fees and route charges, mean that Loganair, Hial and Transport Scotland must find a way to sustain lifeline routes where passenger numbers are limited. We do not take these decisions lightly."
He added: "These routes matter to us and to the communities they serve, but we must balance that commitment with the long-term sustainability of Loganair and the wider network those communities also rely on."
Reduced Schedule and Potential Return
Currently, there are daily flights from Inverness to Orkney and Shetland, and a regular service to Stornoway. Come mid-July, flights between these destinations will be available on Saturdays and Sundays only. Farajallah noted that if funding is secured, Loganair would return to its regular schedule in October.
Hial, owned by the Scottish government, has offered a support package, though the travel corporation warned that it must be affordable.
