The  Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordinating Group (OLECG) has met to consider contingency planning ahead of the planned industrial action at HIAL including Kirkwall.

Highlands And Islands Airports to be Hit by Industrial Action

Disruption to services is likely to be caused from Monday, 1st of April.

Chief Inspector Matt Webb, chair of OLECG and Police Scotland’s area commander for Orkney, said:

“Our aim in meeting today was to ensure that key agencies are prepared for the eventualities and considering contingency plans that may be required over the weeks ahead.

“We have been advised, for instance, that from Monday Kirkwall Airport will operate during normal working hours, but will be unable to stay open longer if flights are running late.

“An important concern is North Ronaldsay’s reliance on the local air service as its main link to the Orkney Mainland. How any disruption to that service could be addressed is under active consideration.”

Emergency and Air Ambulance flights will be unaffected.

Loganair has advised passengers of changes in the times of a small number of flights, mainly the last of the day, on its external routes from Monday.