Transport / Competition likely for next inter-island air contract
LOGANAIR is understood to be in the frame for the next contract to run Shetland’s inter-island air services.
The company previously ran the service for a number of years until the Airtask Group took over in 2006.
The four-year contract, which was recently put out to tender by Shetland Islands Council and will kick in from 1 April 2020, will only feature flights to Fair Isle and Foula.
After consultation with communities, the Papa Stour link will be removed, while the Skerries service – which has not been running since 2015 – will also be taken out of the contract.
Flights are to continue operating from Tingwall Airport after councillors gave their backing to the base earlier this year.
Loganair managing director Jonathan Hinkles confirmed that one of the company’s islander planes was recently in Fair Isle and Foula around ten days ago, but he could not comment further.
It is understood they were in the isles on a ‘recce’ visit ahead of the closing date for bids for the next contract, which was 4 December.
Loganair currently operates services from Sumburgh Airport to the Scottish mainland, as well as Bergen.
However, it does already fly into Fair Isle from Orkney during the summer.
The company also operates inter-island services in Orkney.
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