Comhairle Calls for Air Service Support

21 June 2023 at 11:30:00

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar last week confirmed that the Benbecula to Stornoway air service will be reduced to two days of operation per week from 1 July 2023.

At a special meeting of the Comhairle on 15 June 2023 Members were told of the financial reality of funding the route in the long term.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar funds 90% of the service at a current annual cost of £620,000. With the Comhairle's available transport budget this spend results in a short fall of over £200,000 which must be paid from the Comhairle's reserves.

The Comhairle now calls on the Scottish Government and partner organisations to provide financial support to preserve the service.

The Scottish Government currently provides significant support to three Scottish air routes defined as PSOs (Public Service Obligations) from Glasgow to Barra, Tiree and Campbeltown.

On Transport Scotland's website the criteria for the provision of support to these routes is outlined as:

While the number of people using these routes is not enough to make them commercially viable for airlines, they nevertheless provide important connectivity to local communities.

Chair of Transportation and Infrastructure, Cllr Uisdean Robertson, said: "By Transport Scotland's own definition this route justifies financial support. The service is not used by a high enough number of passengers to make it commercially viable and provides transports to hospital patients which surely meets the criteria of providing important connectivity. I would urge the Scottish Government and partner organisations to reconsider their position and intervene with increased financial support for this route."

Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said: "If we lose the Benbecula to Stornoway flight it will be quicker for individuals in Uist to get to London than to visit friends, family and colleagues in Stornoway. Inter-island connectivity is crucial to the continued growth of the islands and must be enhanced not forgotten."