Loganair has announced it is to reduce services for the next round of strike action by air traffic controllers at Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL).
The next industrial action currently being undertaken by controllers of the Prospect union is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 12.
As a result, the airline has announced that it will be cancelling services to and from Benbecula, Dundee, Inverness, Kirkwall, Stornoway and Sumburgh on this date.
Changes to the services offered are also likely on Tuesday, June 11, and Thursday, June 13, with some additional services laid on to enable travellers to replan their journeys.
Loganair managing director Jonathan Hinkles said: “We regret this ongoing dispute by air traffic control staff is leading to further disruption to Loganair’s customers. We will do all that we reasonably can to help them re-plan their journeys on alternative flights and days.
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“The behaviour of the Prospect union is increasingly bizarre. Its full-time official met with MSPs for a briefing at the Scottish Parliament yesterday and made no mention of a new strike date, yet one was announced within an hour of the end of that session.
“It begs the question as to who is really pulling the strings in this dispute.
“We warmly welcome that opportunity for the action to be resolved, but regrettably, our customers are faced with another day of travel disruption in the meantime.”
A HIAL spokesperson said: “We sincerely regret this further escalation of the pay dispute by Prospect members and we apologise for the inconvenience that this will cause our customers and passengers.
“We continue to work closely with airlines to mitigate the effects of the strike action.
“Our aim is to resolve this dispute as soon as possible and we will continue to engage with Prospect in an effort to find a solution.”
Local elected members, including Liam McArthur MSP, Rhoda Grant MSP and Donald Cameron MSP, all made calls yesterday to bring an end to the dispute.
