Loganair island routes funding

In late July 2026, Loganair announced a temporary reduction of its Inverness‑to‑Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland services, cutting daily flights to weekends and cancelling the morning Inverness‑Stornoway run. The airline blamed rising fuel costs linked to the Middle‑East conflict and cited ongoing financial losses on routes that are not commercially viable. It warned that the cuts would affect roughly 1,100 medical appointments and called on the UK and Scottish governments, as well as Highland and Islands Airports Ltd, to develop a funding‑backed island‑connectivity strategy.

By early August 2026, the Scottish Government responded with a £1 million rescue package, announced by Transport Secretary Michael Flynn, to restore the lifeline routes from October. Cross‑party MSPs welcomed the funding, emphasizing the flights’ importance for hospital appointments, local businesses and community links, and urged a longer‑term sustainable plan for aviation in the Highlands and Islands.

The situation thus moved from an urgent appeal for financial support to a concrete government intervention aimed at preserving essential air services for Scotland’s island communities.