Spectacular start to
Ellie campaign
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Find what you need in our
Classifieds What’s On in the Hebrides this month PAGES 10, 11 and 12
Pages 18 and 19 July 2015
island news Edition 37
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& ADVERTISER
We’ve only just begun
From Islanders Against Loganair and Flybe’s Excessive Prices Facebook page.
Facebook group Islanders Against Loganair and Flybe’s Excessive Prices have urged their 15,000 followers to be patient while they take their campaign to the next stage.
T
he page attracted some abuse after the Shetland-based group, led by former shopkeeper Scott Preston, met with Loganair management, and brought back an assurance that a bereavement and critical emergency discount would be established, with the involvement of the group, to help islanders attend funerals and family emergencies. Mr Preston said: “Some people thought this wasn’t enough, and expected we would come away with the promise of massive discounts, but it doesn’t work like that. “We now have a much clearer idea of how the airline works, and the kind of complex pressures it is under. “Armed with this information we are ready for the next step, our meeting with Transport and Islands minister Derek Mackay on July 7.” Loganair chief executive Stewart Adams told the group the airline operates at an average £8 profit per seat on its island routes, and that
prices have gone up by 2% in eight years. Passenger fees of £17.04 per head in Highlands & Islands airports plus baggage handling and landing fees put at least £40 on the price of each ticket and this is not subject to the Air Discount Scheme. Mr Preston said a key question for the Scottish Government which operates the airports is why the passenger landing fees are £6 more expensive than those of Glasgow airport. He said he had received categorical assurances from Loganair that their reliability will improve. He said: “Mr Adams admitted they had not been good enough in recent months. “He said they have heavily invested in a spares facility in Glasgow, stocking frequently required spare parts instead of engineers having to wait while parts were sourced from around the UK and Europe. “This facility is due to open soon.” Mr Preston said Loganair would not commit to look at dropping fare prices, saying there is not enough profit to be able to do so.
However, they also admitted they had not done enough to communicate the discounts that are available. He said: “They told us about a Hospital Visitor’s fare, a child’s discount and a student discount. These are significant reductions on top of the ADS discount. You get these by phoning your usual ADS telephone number. “We also found out that Loganair offer an additional baggage item, including sporting baggage, above the 20kg allowance for a flat rate of £10. It might not get on the same flight as you, but it will be on the next one. “And if you manage to book with a Friday and Saturday night in your itinerary, the flights are cheaper.” Progress has been made, Mr Preston insisted. He said: “They have been reading the Facebook posts and from what they said to us it’s clear they are listening.” Mr Preston and his wife and co-campaigner Phoebe said that in common with other people they know, they are planning to leave Shetland to be nearer family because no-one can afford to visit them.
For Sale Assignation of Croft Tenancy 24A Griminish, Benbecula An opportunity to purchase the assignation of a Croft tenancy at Griminish, Benbecula
The ground extends to 9.22 hectares and has a 1/56 share in Griminish Common Grazings.
The purchase of the tenancy will be subject to the agreement of the landlord and the Crofting Commission.
The purchaser may be eligible for a grant through the Croft House Grant Scheme to build a new house. Offers in the region of
£29,500 Tel: 07776 064757