Plane services

Sir,

I read with utter incredulity the suggestion by Mr Crichton and others that a feasibility study be set up to investigate the possibility of a dedicated airline for the Highlands and Islands, publicly owned and as a not-for-profit service. Has the air in that rarefied bubble over Sandwick Rd become so thin that the occupants have become hypoxic?

The reality of the council or any other quango dealing with the air service to the Western Isles beggars belief and shows a high level of ignorance in the realities of running an air service.

Let us not forget that the council were responsible for financing the Barra - Benbecula and Benbecula - Stornoway routes. It is rather telling that whilst there is a partial service between Benbecula and Stornoway, the Barra to Benbecula route has been removed without a whimper by the council.

Letter: "Hot air" over plane services

10 January 2016

Further, contrary to what the council said publicly, the people of Barra did not ask for a diminution of the Barra Benbecula service in favour of extra flights to Glasgow. Having been at most meetings involving this issue what I actually heard was a very vocal demand to keep the service.

It is also somewhat noteworthy that when the people of Barra ignored the council and spoke directly to the relevant parties, Barra benefitted by getting two daily flights Monday to Saturday all year round. This improvement is something the council can take no credit for, although they have tried.

Also, let us not forget, the council has a responsibility for all the islands of the Outer Hebrides not just those in the northern half of the Hebrides and as such, they would do well to improve on the delivery of services, especially in the Southern Isles, for which they are currently responsible for rather than trying to increase their power base.

It is also of great interest that whilst there is much wailing and gnashing of teeth regarding delays in air travel to Stornoway, there is not a murmur regarding the somewhat erratic service provided by CalMac to the Southern Isles. We are all under the councils remit and as such, the council should be working to help all the inhabitants of the Outer Hebrides, using all forms of transport, not just a select area.

We all understand the frustration caused by travel delays, however they have always been an issue for those living in these islands. I would dare to suggest that people be careful for what they ask for, in the business of air transportation, it does not take much for companies to fold and if you think you are poorly off now, it could get a lot, lot worse.

Of course, a cynic might just come to the conclusion that the councillors know full well that their calls for control are just hot air, but that these calls may just convince the public that the council are doing something to help.

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