Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has demanded crisis talks with Loganair over the reliability of its service to the mainland.
Patience with the faltering route is “rapidly evaporating”, according to Mr McArthur, who added that “radical action” was needed to remedy the situation.
The MSP also suggested that issues with the route were causing “unnecessary stress” for cancer sufferers travelling to Aberdeen for hospital treatment.
Loganair said that they were more than happy to speak to Mr McArthur and had already made efforts to hold a conference call with the MSP, which broke down due to diary complications.
The Orkney member said: “Having been making the case for improved reliability of our lifeline air services for the last three years, I am appalled to see the situation getting worse and worse.
“The level of delays and cancellations over recent days demonstrate that the action being taken by Loganair is falling far short of what is needed.
“At a meeting with CLAN’s new chief executive at the start of the week, I was updated on the effect that this flight disruption is having on patients travelling to and from Aberdeen for appointments and treatment.
“The uncertainty caused by a lack of reliability in the Loganair service is adding unnecessary stress for people who already have enough to cope with.”
Businesses were also at risk of suffering a downturn because of the shaky service, Mr McArthur said.
He added: “Those in the voluntary and public sector are finding it difficult to make meetings and events that enable Orkney’s interests to be represented. Meanwhile, constituents travelling for other reasons are increasingly leaving a day early to minimise the chance of problems arising.
A spokesman for Loganair said that they were more than happy to speak with Mr McArthur about his concerns and had already attempted to hold a conference call with him last Wednesday.
It is understood the timing of that call clashed with parliamentary business and could not be rearranged.