Subsidised air services from Oban to Coll, Colonsay and Tiree have been secured for the next four years after Argyll and Bute Council awarded a new contract to Hebridean Air.
It follows the announcement in May that an agreement had been reached with Hebridean Air Services Limited to continue to operate the flights on a temporary basis, while the council carried out a procurement process for a new four-year contract.
There had been concerns that services would be interrupted by strict funding legislation after an initial procurement process for the four-year contract failed to attract an acceptable bid.
However, council officers and staff at Hebridean Air worked hard behind the scenes to prevent that scenario and put a temporary contract in place.
The new, four-year contract will continue on the same timetable as the interim contract.
Councillor Aileen Morton, leader of Argyll and Bute Council, said: “It’s good news that these services have now been secured on a new contract with the existing operator, which means there will be no gap in service. There has been some uncertainty over the future of the services and I’m pleased that we can put any fears to rest with this announcement.”
The service offers an amended number of flights, although flights for school pupils travelling to Oban have been secured as a priority.