Loganair have been awarded the contract to operate the Scottish Government’s Public Service Obligation flights from Glasgow to Campbeltown, Tiree and Barra, Minister for Transport and Islands Derek Mackay has announced.
The new contract, which features a significantly enhanced service on all three routes, will commence in October to coincide with the Winter timetable and run for the next four years.
The new specifications to better serve passengers, include:
- Increasing return trips to Tiree and Barra to two per day on Monday-Saturday.
- Bringing forward the start date of Sunday services to Campbeltown from June to May.
- Extending Sunday services to Tiree and Barra to operate all year round.
Loganair will operate the routes with the new Twin Otter DHC6-400 aircraft, which entered service last month.
Mr Mackay said:
“As Minister for Transport and Islands, I understand just how important these air links are to the local economies of Campbeltown, Tiree and Barra. This new enhanced contract will deliver an improved service for the communities that rely on these flights.
“We have listened to local representatives to find out what we could do better and have built improved specifications into this contract to make sure the flights are supporting people, businesses and tourism. Additional services started on the Tiree route earlier this month and have already proved very popular.
“These air links transport people, goods and services, playing a crucial role for service industries and ensuring that residents have access to specialist healthcare. They also enable visitors to reach the islands easily, boosting local tourism.
“The routes will also be served by our new Twin Otter aircraft, which entered service last month. I had the pleasure of landing on the beach runway at Barra in one of the new planes last month, and have no doubt they will prove popular with all who travel in them.
“I congratulate Loganair on winning this contract and l look forward to seeing these enhanced services bring benefits to the communities they serve.”
Stewart Adams, Chief Executive of Loganair, said: “We are extremely pleased to be awarded this contract to continue operations on the Scottish Government’s PSO air services.
“Combined with the introduction of the new Scottish Government Twin Otter aircraft, the new specification allows us to deliver an enhanced service providing improved connectivity to each of the communities we serve.
“We are proud to be delivering Transport Scotland’s commitment to securing these lifeline services for a further four years.”
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