News / Air fare increases approved
FARE increases on all inter-island flights have been approved following the latest meeting of Shetland’s travel partnership ZetTrans on Wednesday.
The largest hikes are for non-residents, especially children, in an attempt to lessen the impact on locals after a price freeze last year.
The biggest increase will be trips to Papa Stour for a non-resident child, with the return fare rising some 48 per cent from £24.40 to £36.20.
The majority of fares will increase by around five per cent or less.
Councillor Robbie McGregor sought assurances that increases for Fair Isle residents would be factored into an ongoing review of Shetland’s inter-island services.
The largest rise for Fair Isle is just under 11 per cent for a return on the once a week service from Sumburgh – a jump of nearly £9.
A return islander fare from Tingwall to Fair Isle for adults, however, will only rise by five per cent – an extra £2.05.
Lead officer Michael Craigie told members that the increases needed to be taken in context of a fare freeze last year.
The price rises, however, had caused concern within some island communities.
McGregor said the remote community of Fair Isle was “fragile at best” and needed protection from cost increases.
He had heard from constituents on the island who were worried about the effect increases would also have on tourists, as well as family and friends.
Craigie confirmed that fares will be included in Shetland Islands Council’s review of inter-island air services, which is expected to come back with results in May.
“This year it has just caught up,” he said in reference to last year’s price freeze.
Chairman Ryan Thomson previously said he believed fare increases on routes like Papa Stour would not affect tourism as most visitors take the ferry.
Bus prices will remain the same in 2018/19 as fares have to increase in 10p increments, meaning that if they were increased every year they would move ahead of inflation.
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