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Friday flights to Benbecula restored

Aircraft at Benbecula Airport
Benbecula Airport one the airports affected by the Loganair suspension Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson.

Friday flights between Stornoway and Benbecula will be restored next month.

A new arrangement has been reached between Western Isles Council and Loganair for the service which will also link to Inverness Airport.

The Friday flight was cut in the council’s 2013 budget

Isles politicians welcomed the announcement last night – although local MP Angus MacNeil said the council should apologise for removing the service in the first place.

The move also sparked fresh calls for a service linking Barra and Benbecula to be reintroduced.

Mr MacNeil said: “I welcome the addition of Friday flights on the Stornoway to Benbecula service but this does not go far enough.

“The decision to cut the previous five day service to just three and scrap the Barra – Benbecula service altogether had a massive impact on people particularly those travelling to hospital appointments.

“I welcome the return of cash that was pockled from the Scottish Government but I now think the Comhairle should apologise to islanders for the impact the previous decision has had on communities for more than two years.”

Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan welcomed the announcement but said: “The concerns of many people in Barra and the deep unhappiness that exists in the community over the withdrawal of the Barra-Benbecula service also need to be taken into account.

“When islands minister Humza Yousaf visited recently, I reflected it was a simpler task for him as an MSP based in Glasgow to visit Barra than it was for me as an MSP living in Lewis.”

Loganair managing director Jonathan Hinkles said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to find a solution to provide additional services which not only enhance connectivity within the Western Isles but also restore a Friday link between Benbecula and Inverness.”