Community leaders on Tiree will have the chance to discuss the island’s air services tonight when they meet with the Board of HIAL.

The airport operator’s directors will host a presentation to local stakeholders on the island following their Board meeting. HIAL’s Board meetings are held at its 10 airport on a rotating basis. The company’s directors meet regularly with stakeholders in the region to update them on activity and to discuss future plans.

Tiree Airport, the smallest of 10 operated by HIAL, handled 6,014 passengers in the year ending 31 March 2005, an 8% increase on the previous year’s total. The island’s scheduled air service, a return flight to the island from Glasgow Monday to Saturday, is operated by Loganair under a Public Service Obligation funded by the Scottish Executive. Loganair uses Twin Otter and Saab 340 aircraft on the route. The current PSO contract runs until 31 March 2006.

HIAL’s Managing Director, Inglis Lyon said: “Tiree’s air service is a lifeline for the island and supports inbound tourism. The Scottish Executive’s action to reduce fares on the route stimulated traffic last year and the demand for seats means that the larger Saab 340 aircraft is often used instead of the Twin Otter.

“With the PSO coming up for tender again, local residents will have this opportunity to tell us what their expectations are for the air service in terms of flight timings, frequencies and aircraft capacity. The route is vitally important to the island as it provides quick access to health and welfare services and onward travel connections on the mainland via Glasgow.

“Much of our route development work is focused at our largest airport of Inverness because airlines need high passenger volumes for commercially sustainable services. I am, however, equally keen to work with stakeholders in the region, including HITRANS and the Scottish Executive, to find means to stimulate traffic at our smaller airports and improve the region’s overall air connectivity. If this can be achieved it will benefit the region and the more remote communities that have access to air services,” said Mr Lyon.

ENDS