An initiative that offers people from island and remote parts of Scotland lower air fares to travel between their homes and main population areas becomes available today.

Students studying away from home and their parents can benefit the devolved government's Air Discount Scheme (ADS) which has been agreed with the European Commission.

It provides a 40 per cent reduction on air fares for people, including students studying away from home.

The eligible areas are Western Isles, Orkney, Shetland, Islay and Jura, Caithness and North-West Sutherland.

Transport Minister Tavish Scott said:

"This is great news. Low air fares are something that most people in Scotland have taken for granted for some time. However up to now people living in the remoter parts of the country have not been able to benefit from them.

"This devolved government had a commitment to deliver affordable air fares to Scotland's most peripheral communities and that is what we have done. I am delighted that we are also able to include students.

"Increasing access to higher and further education and supporting people living in our remoter communities are key objectives for this devolved government. Our scheme will help local people, local businesses and help stimulate economic activity.

"Interest in the scheme has been high and so far nearly 37,000 ADS cards have been sent out which represents about 50% of those eligible. I would encourage those who have not yet applied to make their applications."

Discounts for eligible people will be available on any scheduled air service to and from any airport within Scotland - Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness.

There will be no restriction on the number of trips per eligible person. The discount will be available for both single and return journeys.

Exclusions

• The scheme is intended to link isolated populations to commercial centres rather than subsidise wider journeys beyond Scotland. An onward connection element to an airport outside the four population centres and the eligible geographic area will not qualify.
• Current Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes, as European regulation does not allow multiple forms of aid on one route
• People whose main residence is not in the eligible geographic area
• National Health Service funded trips

Application forms are available on-line at the www.airdiscountscheme.com website or from the Scheme Administrator on Freephone 0800 032 2890.