July 2006 - Air Discount Scheme helping the Highlands and Islands to prosper
Air travel is continuing to develop as a vital transport mode in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland with more people able to benefit from access to scheduled air services than ever before.
The total number of passengers flying via airports in the region during the first quarter of 2006/07 increased by 18%, according to figures published today.
The three-month running total for the 10 airports operated by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) stands at 317,683 passengers compared to 268,666 for the same period in 2005/06. Aircraft movements in the first quarter saw a 6.4% rise to a total of 26,213.
The fastest growing airports in the region from 1 April to 30 June this year were: Inverness (+25.6%); Islay (+23.1%); Kirkwall (+12.2%) and Sumburgh (+13.7%).
A contributory factor to the growth is the recently launched Scottish Executive Air Discount Scheme which has reduced the cost of flights on qualifying routes for people living in the region's remotest communities. Its positive impact is already being reflected in passenger growth in areas including Orkney, Shetland, Caithness and Islay.
Inglis Lyon, managing director of HIAL said: Accessibility is vital to the attractiveness of our region for business, leisure, inward investment and population growth. We are a remote region but ongoing improvements to the air network are helping to offset this and also improving the quality of life for people who live and work here.
The Air Discount Scheme is now addressing the long standing issue of the cost of flights for people living in our remotest communities and the impact is already visible as more people are now able to access air services and make better use of their time for business or social reasons.
The uptake for the scheme from eligible residents has been very high and more than 15,000 flights have already been booked on qualifying routes. It is clear that it is having a positive impact on the lives of people in the island and remote mainland communities, said Mr Lyon.
May 2006 - Air Discount Scheme launches
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 which has been agreed with the European Commission.
It provides a 40% 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 Air Discount Scheme 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 online or from the Scheme Administrator on Freephone 0800 032 2890.
March 2006
Discount air fare scheme
Registration forms for a lower air fares scheme will be dropping through letterboxes in the Highlands and islands over the next few days.
The Air Discount Scheme will provide a 40% reduction on air fares for people whose main residence is any of the following: Western Isles, Orkney, Shetland, Islay and Jura, Caithness and North-West Sutherland. It includes students from these areas who are studying away from home.
Read the full press release on the Scottish Executive website
