Loganair to cut Inverness to island flights from July

Loganair says flights from Inverness to the Western and Northern isles will be reduced from 19 July due to sustainability concerns.

The regional airline said it could no longer maintain the current level of service "without impacting the wider business".

Loganair operates daily flights on its Inverness to Kirkwall in Orkney and Sumburgh in Shetland route, and a regular service between Inverness and Stornoway in Lewis.

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (Hial), which is owned by the Scottish government, said it had offered a support package but stressed that help must be affordable.

From mid-July, flights between Inverness, Orkney and Shetland will only be available on Saturdays and Sundays, according to Loganair's website.

At first minister's questions in Holyrood on Tuesday, Orkney Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur claimed Loganair had cited "a lack of support from Hial".

He said: "These are lifeline routes for all three communities.

"Cuts will affect all those who rely on the services, including many hospital patients."

First Minister John Swinney said he wanted Loganair and Hial to work "collaboratively" on services.

He added: "The cabinet secretary for transport will make sure there is appropriate dialogue to ensure everything that can be done is put in place."

A Loganair spokesperson said changes were made following "extensive" discussions with Hial and other stakeholders.

They said: "If appropriate support becomes available, we will welcome the opportunity to restore the full winter timetable."

Shetland SNP MSP and public finance minister, Hannah Mary Goodlad, said she was "deeply concerned" and would explore solutions.

Hial said it had offered a "support package" to help maintain the viability of routes from Inverness.

The Scottish government-owned company said that support needed to be affordable "amid financial pressures on the public sector".