ISLES PARLIAMENTARIANS COMMENT ON HIGHLAND AIRWAYS

ISLES PARLIAMENTARIANS COMMENT ON HIGHLAND AIRWAYS

The news that Highland Airways which provide lifeline services to the Western Isles and other areas have gone into administration, has been described by Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP Angus MacNeil and MSP Alasdair Allan, as a sad day for jobs and staff at the company.

Highland Airways operated the route between Stornoway and Benbecula and also operated the newspaper delivery service to Lewis and Harris. Mr MacNeil has been in touch with the Scottish Government’s Minister for Transport, Stewart Stevenson MSP and Mr Allan has raised the issue the First Minister in Parliament. Both hoped that services will resume as soon as possible.

Mr MacNeil said:

“Highland Airways have provided a reliable service over the years in the islands, and it is a sad day when the company’s demise has come about in this way. I will be asking questions as to the role played by the various creditors including HMRC. It is a difficult day for the staff and management of the company who have endeavoured in every way to keep the company going over the past couple of months, when the situation facing the company was bleak.

“I have been in touch with people in the airline industry this morning. We are still awaiting news on whether the administrator or another company will be flying the service in the coming days and weeks. My sympathies go to those whose jobs are in a precarious position as well as travellers and NHS patients who need the service.”

Alasdair Allan MSP also commented:

“Today’s news is obviously deeply concerning for many of Scotland’s islands, given the essential role which Highland Airways have in these communities. I took the opportunity at First Minister’s Questions today to seek some assurances about what the Scottish Government is doing in this difficult situation.

“First Minister, Alex Salmond, responded that, over the course of the next few days, the Transport Minister would be confirming details of how existing flights would be maintained. The First Minister confirmed that ensuring this happened was a high priority for the Government. He also said that Skills Development Scotland and other agencies were already working to provide support and advice to the workforce.

“I will continue to pursue this issue as I know people throughout the islands need information on this troubling situation.”