Plane in 24-hour detour after fuel shortage 23/12/13
Around 32 air passengers were stranded on the wrong island after a Loganair plane ran short on fuel.
The Glasgow to Benbecula aircraft had already been delayed and some 20 minutes into the flight the pilot announced the aircraft did not have enough fuel to get back to the city on Saturday afternoon.
Instead of landing at Balivanich, the pilot headed further north on a 50 mile detour to Stornoway airport.
Travellers were promised they would refuel quickly and take-off for the Uists.
But, soon after landing, they were told to get off as the plane wasn’t going anywhere.
It is unclear if aviation fuel or a tanker was available at Stornoway airport on Saturday.
Passengers finally got home around 3pm on Sunday afternoon after being put up at a hotel overnight.
Those on board said they were furious and upset at the lack of communication. They question why the aircraft flew when it would not land at its correct destination.
A large number of passengers were students or young exiles working in the central belt.
With stormy seas causing ferries to be cancelled or delayed, others forked out extra cash for the shorter flight to get home sooner.
Loganair was unable to comment on Sunday but a representative said the airline would give a response on Monday.
It is unclear if the aviation fuel shortage is linked to the wider fuel rationing crisis across Uist and Benbecula.