Strikes will close Inverness Airport ahead of Loganair's suspension of flights to islands
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Inverness Airport will be closed for two days later this month due to industrial action by fire service and security members of Prospect Union.
Strikes over pay will force it to shut on March 13 and 17.
Airports in Stornoway, Benbecula, Islay and Dundee – also operated by Highlands and Islands Airports (HIAL) – will also be closed on either the same or different dates this month.
Airport fire service members of Prospect will also take continuous action short of a strike from March 18, which will include withdrawal of good will, work to rosters, an overtime ban, refusal of non-ambulance extensions or special openings.
This has prompted Loganair to temporarily suspend its flights on routes between affected airports – namely Inverness to Stornoway and Benbecula and from Inverness to Kirkwall and Sumburgh.
A Loganair spokesman said: “We completely understand that this unprecedented step will be unwelcome news to communities who depend on the air services Loganair provides.
"It’s a step that we are taking with the utmost reluctance and only after careful consideration of all other options.
"We have sadly concluded that it’s simply not realistic to continue our efforts to provide services between HIAL airports when the action short of a strike is intended to disrupt and counter those efforts at every turn.
"The suspension provides advance – even if unwelcome – certainty around which our customers can adjust travel plans, as opposed to facing the risk of on-the-day flight cancellations or significant delays. We hope that the period of suspension – initially through to April 30 – will provide time and space for the parties to this dispute to meet and reach a resolution, enabling these long-running services to resume thereafter.”
HIAL met with representatives from the trade unions on Wednesday.
A spokeswoman for the firm said: "The discussions were positive. However, the trade unions confirmed that as no formal offer had been tabled, the industrial action planned to start on March 8 [at Stornoway] would continue as planned."
HIAL’s managing director Inglis Lyon said: “We apologise for the disruption this will cause for our customers. The ongoing industrial action is having a significant impact on our airline partners and the announcement by Loganair to temporarily suspend some flights will cause considerable disruption for our island communities.
“At the meeting with the trade unions we sought, and obtained, clarity on the key elements on their claim in a bid to resolve the dispute. The unions appreciate HIAL’s position within the complexities of the wider public sector pay discussions.
“It is vital that we find a mutual solution to resolve this dispute and will now discuss our options within the parameters of public sector pay flexibility with the HIAL board and Transport Scotland.”
Last month, Prospect negotiation officer Jane Rose, said: "Our members in fire and security ensure airports across the Highlands and Islands operate safely and securely for the communities and businesses that they serve. They do not deserve the substantial real terms pay cut that is currently on offer.
“Members have resisted taking action for many months in the hope of avoiding disruption to their communities. However, we are in the worst cost-of-living crisis in 40 years and both HIAL and Scottish Government have completely failed to try and deliver a pay increase that properly addresses that. As such we have no option but to take this action.”
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant slammed Loganair’s decision to suspend flights to and from the islands to Inverness from March 17.
