The Scottish Government has provided over £1 million to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) for the full restoration of island air services operating from Inverness.

The funding will reinstate the frequency of air services connecting Inverness to Stornoway, Kirkwall and Sumburgh from 26 October 2026, bringing back important air links for island communities and businesses.

Commenting on the new funding Highlands and Islands SNP MSP said:

“This is extremely welcome news, and I am grateful to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport for listening to the concerns raised by NHS boards, stakeholders, businesses and my constituents following Loganair’s announcement.

“As we have also seen with the funding confirmed last week for the Wick Public Service Obligation route, the Scottish Government recognises the importance of maintaining reliable air services to our rural and island communities. These are lifeline routes that provide essential access to healthcare, education, employment and business opportunities, and are crucial to the social and economic wellbeing of the communities they serve.

“I am pleased that the Scottish Government has acted quickly to provide support and ensure these routes can continue.

“I will continue to work with ministers, HIAL and local stakeholders to ensure the Highlands and Islands have resilient, reliable and sustainable air services that meet the needs of communities.”

The return of these services will support essential travel for island residents accessing healthcare and public services on the mainland.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport in the Scottish Government Stephen Flynn said:

“I am pleased the Scottish Government has confirmed over £1 million of funding to support the full recommencement of air services connecting Inverness to Stornoway, Kirkwall and Sumburgh.

“HIAL and Loganair have worked collaboratively through commercial discussions to restart these services from 26 October, providing greater certainty to passengers.

“Transport Scotland will now work with HIAL and industry stakeholders to discuss next steps for a sustainable, long-term solution to protect Highlands and Islands air services for those who rely on them.”

Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, CEO, Paul Kelsall said they are committed to finding a lasting solution and will continue to work closely with Transport Scotland and all those affected to make the routes sustainable over the long term.

Luke Farajallah, Chief Executive Officer at Loganair said:

“We’ll keep working with HIAL and Transport Scotland to get these routes onto a footing that lasts.

“These routes matter enormously to the people who rely on them, and we’ve never lost sight of that throughout this process. We’re a privately owned airline, and keeping thin routes like these flying isn’t something we can always do alone, so we’re genuinely pleased that the Scottish Government has stepped in to make full services possible again from October.”

Willie Rennie MSP is the Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Transport Committee. He said:

“This investment will be a positive outcome for the island communities who made powerful and compelling representations to the Transport Committee. From the evidence we heard, it is clear that a longer-term plan for aviation will need to be considered as part of the Islands Connectivity Plan.

“The Scottish Government needs to continue working closely with transport providers and our island communities to ensure a longer-term solution. We will continue to monitor developments in this area. However, for now, this is a step in the right direction.”

The Transport Committee wrote to the Cabinet Secretary in June following an evidence session with island communities, Loganair and Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL). The session shone a light on the impact reduced air services between the Western and Northern Isles and Inverness would have on local communities.

The Committee had immediately recognised the potential impact of scheduled changes on island communities and felt it was important to take urgent evidence from both those likely to be directly affected and Loganair and HIAL (Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd).

As a result of the Committee’s intervention, it was clear that NHS boards and affected Local Authorities had not been consulted prior to the timetable announcements being made – and, as a result, the wider impact, particularly on those seeking NHS treatment on the mainland had not been factored in.

The Committee wrote to those affected, asking them to outline what real impact the proposed schedule changes – and the potential loss of service longer-term – would mean in reality.

The Committee also wrote to Loganair and the Cabinet Secretary, urging them to find a workable solution.

Responding, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, Stephen Flynn MSP confirmed the allocation of new funding in a letter to Willie Rennie MSP, Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s newly formed Transport Committee.

All correspondence on this issue can be found on the Committee’s section of the website.

You can access the official report from this evidence session here.