Letters / Inconvenient truth
I must take issue with your report on the inclusion of voluntary organisations in the Air Discount Scheme.
In both your report of 17 July (Brown denies U turn on air discount scheme) and also that of 1 May (Government lied over ADS cuts) you say that the SNP government excluded all public sector travel from the scope of the scheme. This is simply NOT correct.
When Tavish Scott introduced the scheme in 2006 he explicitly excluded all National Health Service-funded trips. If you don’t believe me, check it out – but I can assure you that, unlike Scott, I know what I’m talking about.
This is, of course, an inconvenient truth which our esteemed MSP with selective amnesia conveniently fails to mention.
The problem arises as a result of Scott who, despite years of posturing for PSOs (Public Service Obligations) on our air routes to the mainland, when in a position as transport minister to deliver on this instead opted for a quite different system of subsidy in the ADS.
ADS was introduced under what is called “Aid of a Social Character” and consequently is (and should only be) accessible by individuals and not corporate bodies such as businesses.
PSOs enable the government to set the fares on routes and these subsidised fares are then available for everyone (including businessmen and tourists) to purchase.
ADS fares on the other hand are only available to individual residents in the qualifying area with their own individual membership numbers and PIN numbers.
Let me quote from an article by Brian Flett in Orkney Today of Thursday 25 May 2006:
It was reported at a recent meeting of Kirkwall Airport Consultative Committee that local businesses would qualify for discounts. This is not the case.
A spokesman for the Scottish Executive told us this week: ‘We’re quite clear that it has to be individuals who apply…’
Finally, I’m fed up continually having to point out to people that the 40 per cent discount only applies to the core airfare and NOT to the taxes , charges and all the other add-ons which make up a considerable part of the total bill.
In practice, the actual discount will be more like 25 per cent on the cheapest fares and maybe 30 per cent on a last-minute full fare.
Bill Adams
Lerwick
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