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Letter:  Crippling costs of island flights must be addressed

 

29 April 2016  

 

Sir,

 

The prohibitive costs of island flights cannot be allowed to continue.  Labour introduced exemption from Air Passenger Duty for the Highlands and Islands but this does little nowadays to make the cost of an air fare affordable. Those flying to the Highlands and Islands are not exempt.  As a result, we hear instances of planes carrying a handful of passengers. The recent Edinburgh flight with the team arriving to microchip the dogs in Stornoway carried seven passengers.  As a business model, this makes no sense.  

 

Scottish Labour first introduced the Air Discount Scheme (ADS) in 2006.  The recent introduction by Flybe/Loganair of a reduced fare on compassionate grounds is a small step in the right direction.

 

Scottish Labour will fight for a reduction in our expensive air fares to and from our islands. The Route Development Fund needs to be reintroduced and effort needs to be put into making a special case to the EU for derogation.  Businesses would greatly benefit from the reinstatement of ADS, abolished by the SNP in 2010.

We need affordable fares that are readily available. It makes economic sense for the airlines and for our islands.

Christine Macsween,

8b Shulishader,

Point,

Isle of Lewis