Children will pay less on Western Isles flights

YOUNG fliers in the Western Isles are set to save their parents money following following Flybe franchise carrier Loganair’s slashing of the cost of its children’s tickets.
From today (Thursday, August 12), children aged between 2 and 11 years of age inclusive travelling with an adult between Stornoway and Benbecula or Benbecula and Barra can travel for just the cost of airport taxes on their journey, or around £15 for one-way travel.

Previously, children were charged at two-thirds of the cost of the adult fare plus the £15 airport charge.

The move is designed to make Western Isles air travel highly attractive for family journeys, and will continue for the foreseeable future.

There are no “book before” deadlines or restrictions on applicable travel dates; instead, parents can expect to pay only airport taxes for their children no matter when they choose to fly or how they decide to book.

Commenting on the announcement, Loganair’s Commercial Director Jonathan Hinkles said: “With the new school year about to start, we recognize that families will soon be dealing with the additional time pressures which come from balancing busy lives.

“Benbecula and Barra”

“In many situations, Flybe’s fast, convenient inter-island air service might be the only practical way to ensure families can reach sporting events in time or get the chance to visit their friends and relatives regularly.

“We’re confident that our new pricing structure will help to ensure that air services remain an attractive and wholly affordable alternative to car and ferry travel within the Western Isles.”

Adult fares between Stornoway and Benbecula start from £34.99 one-way including airport taxes.

The offer does not apply for unaccompanied minors, who are accepted for travel on all Loganair point-to-point services but for whom the applicable child fare (67% of the adult fare plus taxes) remains payable, and cannot be used in conjunction with adult Economy Plus (full fare) tickets.

Earlier this week, Loganair announced that its July passenger figures on the inter-island services had exceeded the levels seen last July when the Stornoway-Benbecula route was operated by Highland Airways.

Flights between Stornoway and Benbecula operate twice every weekday in each direction and there is a weekdaily return service between Benbecula and Barra.

The services are operated by Flybe franchise carrier Loganair under an agreement with the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

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