New planes safeguards Barra air route

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New planes safeguard air route 30/9/14

The Scottish Government has directly purchased new planes to save lifeline air services to Barra.

The two new-build Twin Otter DHC6-400 aircraft are the only commercial type able to land on the picturesque sandy beach at Traigh Mhor.

The present aging aircraft should have been taken off the route last year. Owners Loganair - whose contract to operate the routes runs out in six months - have repaired and maintained them to last until April 2015 at least when their replacements are due to arrive.

In changes to tendering for the subsidy to fly the route, the new planes will be owned by the government and leased out to whichever airline wins a separate operating tender - under a public service obligation (PSO) - to provide regular flights.

Purchasing its own aircraft will encourage more airlines to tender, thus creating more competition and tighter prices for the contract, hopes the Scottish Government.

Though tendering to supply the planes was open to all aircraft makers, the winning bidder - Canadian aviation manufacturer Viking Air - is the sole maker of the modern Twin Otter model - thought to cost up to seven million dollars each - which is the only main commercial passenger type plane with short take off and landing runs required to land on the tidal sands of Barra.

Using the Twin Otter saves money compared to the £20 million estimated cost of building a hard runway.

However, a main lifeline air route between Barra and Benbecula has been axed by Western Isles Council so the only destination for the islands is Glasgow.

The planes should have been flying the route last year but tendering faced long delays die to the Scottish Government needing to consider “factors affecting the tendering process and we wanted to look at all the options available to us.”

The “wider impact of reviewing capacity and replacing aircraft on PSO routes in general,” were other issues, said the Scottish Government previously.

The new 19-seat twin engine planes are expected to be delivered by May 2015, and will enter service once the certification process is completed.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “I’m delighted to announce this contract award today, which brings us another step closer to having new planes operating on our Public Service Obligation routes.

“The tender from Viking Air Limited offered the best value for taxpayers’ money, as well as meeting all the requirements in terms of quality and delivery time.

“We expect to take delivery of the new planes next May and for them to be up and running on the routes shortly afterwards.

“Some of our remotest communities rely on these services to keep them connected. The flights transport people, goods and services, playing a crucial role for service industries, fisheries and agriculture. Direct air links also enable visitors to reach the islands easily, boosting local tourism.

“By purchasing our own aircraft, we will also encourage more competition when the contract for operating the PSO routes comes up for renewal. We will be looking at ways to enhance these services and will engage with passengers, local businesses and other interested parties to look at potential improvements.

“These new planes mean our PSO routes to Campbeltown, Barra and Tiree will continue to be reliable and attractive to travellers. The communities served by these flights can now look forward to seeing new planes operating on the routes next summer.”