Loganair has announced it will cancel some flights from July 19 due to routes being "loss-making for a sustained period." The Scottish airline will reduce services on its Inverness and Western and Northern Isles routes, meaning flights between Inverness, Orkney, and Shetland will only operate on Saturdays and Sundays from mid-July.
CEO's Statement on Route Cuts
Luke Farajallah, Loganair's chief executive, emphasized that the routes are "enormously" important to the Glasgow-based firm. He stated that the decision was not taken lightly, but rising fuel prices, aircraft repair costs, airport fees, and route charges have made the routes unsustainable. He hopes to reintroduce flights later.
Community Impact
Orkney Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur described the flights as "lifelines" for communities, noting that cuts will affect many hospital patients who rely on the service. He urged stakeholders to find a solution.
Industry Challenges
The announcement comes amid broader struggles in the aviation sector. European Cargo, based at Bournemouth Airport, recently collapsed into administration, resulting in 178 job losses. The company attributed its difficulties to reduced flying activity and rising fuel costs.
A spokesperson for Teneo Financial Advisory Limited, the administrator, confirmed that European Cargo has ceased trading and redundancies are being made. They are supporting affected employees and engaging with stakeholders.
