The UK’s air safety body has confirmed Loganair flights operating in the north Scotland are safe – despite the concerns of pilots.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) held talks with northern isles MP Alistair Carmichael as well as MSPs Tavish Scott MSP Liam McAruthur MSP after a number of high-profile incidents.
There has been growing concern about the safety of “lifeline” air services to and from Orkney and Shetland, with a number of emergency landings in recent weeks.
The three local politicians held talks with CAA officials, who confirmed that Loganair services met European safety requirements.
Balpa, the pilots union, recently wrote to Loganair expressing fears about the maintenance of planes.
In a joint statement, Mr Carmichael, Shetland MSP Mr Scott and Orkney MSP Mr McArthur said: “This was a useful discussion with senior representatives of the Civil Aviation Authority.
“It enabled us to relay some of the concerns being expressed by our constituents and to seek assurances that these are taken seriously by the airline and the regulator.
“The CAA clarified to us that Loganair’s services meet European safety requirements.
“Loganair has acknowledged that improving reliability of their services is an absolute priority.
“This will, of course, require action on a number of fronts. In the meantime, we remain determined to keep representing the interests and views of our constituents, who depend on these lifeline services.”
The Scottish Government has insisted it is working with Loganair to improve services to and from the north of Scotland.