FAQs
- What is the purpose of the Air Discount Scheme?
- What are you trying to achieve?
- What are the objectives of the scheme?
- Who will be eligible for discounts under this scheme?
- How was eligibility determined - other areas of the Highlands and Islands are also remote?
- To which air services will it apply?
- Why are users of Inverness airport not included?
- Who will be excluded from the scheme?
- Will there be any restrictions on the number of eligible trips?
- Will the discount be available for both single and return journeys?
- Will it apply to onward connections?
- How will eligible persons access discounted air fares?
- Will eligible persons be able to access discounted air fares through normal channels?
- Do all the eligible adults in my household need to complete individual applications?
1. What is the purpose of the Air Discount Scheme?
- The Purpose is to reduce the cost of lifeline air links to and from the Highlands and Islands.
- The aim is to give remote communities in the Highlands and Islands the air services they need to support economic development, accessibility and social inclusion, at an affordable price for the traveller.
2. What are you trying to achieve?
- There is unanimity across all stakeholders that fares are too high. This constrains demand.
- By reducing fare levels for Scotland's most peripheral communities, demand can be stimulated.
- A market response to increased demand would be increased frequency/capacity and the potential for new entrants to the market to create more competition.
- This in turn can lead to further downward pressure on fares and upward pressure on service standards.
3. What are the objectives of the scheme?
- The primary objective is to facilitate greater social inclusion in the most peripheral areas of the Highlands and Islands through affordable access to air services to the main economic administrative centres of Scotland.
- Other important benefits are potential improvements in capacity and frequency and greater economic growth as a result of improvements in accessibility.
4. Who will be eligible for discounts under this scheme?
- Anyone whose residence is in Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles, Islay, Jura, Caithness and North West Sutherland.
5. How was eligibility determined - other areas of the Highlands and Islands are also remote?
- The discount is applied to air services. The defined area is that part of the mainland and Scotland's islands which have direct access to air services.
6. To which air services will it apply?
- It will apply to all scheduled air services between the defined areas and Inverness, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow and between points in the defined areas.
7. Why are users of Inverness airport not included?
- Inverness Airport has an ever increasing range of air services. Users of Inverness Airport already have access to lower air fares.
8. Who will be excluded from the scheme?
- People whose residence is not in the eligible geographic area.
- People travelling on NHS-funded trips.
9. Will there be any restrictions on the number of eligible trips?
- There will be no restriction on the number of trips per eligible person.
10. Will the discount be available for both single and return journeys?
- Yes it will apply to both single and return journeys from either the airport in the defined area or the destination airport.
11. Will it apply to onward connections?
- No. The scheme is intended to link isolated populations to commercial centres - it is not intended to subsidise wider journeys beyond Scotland.
- Discounts will therefore be available for point to point journeys only.
12. How will eligible persons access discounted air fares?
- Eligible persons can register for this scheme and access the discounts by applying through the appropriate application form available at various outlets including airports and other offices.
13. Will eligible persons be able to access discounted air fares through normal channels?
- Discounted air fares can be accessed through the airlines' websites, call centre and the approved travel agents. Details are provided on this site.
14. Do all the eligible adults in my household need to complete individual applications?
- No. Eligible persons of the same household can register for this scheme on one application form. They will each receive an individual Air Discount Scheme card.
