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Politicians have sought reassurances over the alleged state of Loganair aircraft.

 

The British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) raised concerns of the quality of repairs to planes and the level of cover from the airline's engineering services.

 

Pilots highlighted technical faults meant frequent delays to flights.

 

The union claimed aircrafts suffered recurring issues or were returned from the hanger "unserviceable."

 

This included some planes retaining defects which could affect flight safety, as well as resulting in an "appalling service" for passengers.

Politicians raise concerns over Loganair planes

 

29 October 2015  

Pilots have not flown unsafe aircraft but send them back for further repair.

 

Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael said that it was “an extremely serious development” and called for an immediate review by the aviation regulator, Civil Aviation Authority.

 

He said the pilots's intervention was unprecedented and should be taken seriously.

 

Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan said: "I have no doubt about the professionalism of pilots and there is no suggestion from this correspondence that planes have actually been flown in an unsatisfactory condition.

 

"However, pilots have made their views very clear indeed about their concerns about the aircraft, and Loganair now need to move swiftly to reassure the travelling public.”

 

Labour MSP David Stewart wants an urgent meeting with the Scottish transport minister over alleged poor maintenance issue.

 

Mr Stewart is encouraging all Highlands and islands MSPs to sign a cross party letter to the minister, Derek Mackay.

 

He said: "Almost daily, flights are being cancelled or delayed, not only islanders, but those visiting on business and leisure are being greatly inconvenienced."

 

"It is vitally important that we seek assurances from the carrier that they are addressing these issues urgently and as important we need the reassurance that no passengers are being put at risk.”

Loganair chief executive, Stewart Adams, insisted safety was definitely "number one priority."

Mr Adams stressed: "The final decision on whether or not a flight departs is always in the hands of the pilot, and we know that none of our pilots would ever leave the ground if he or she had any safety concerns."