Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has today slammed the cancellation of flights into and out of Stornoway airport as ‘totally unacceptable’. The Comhairle is demanding assurances that there will be no repeat.

Convener Alex MacDonald said: “The travelling public and business needs to know that there is a reliable service on flights to and from Stornoway and short notice cancellations such as happened today are totally unacceptable. The Comhairle is writing to HIAL as a matter of urgency and is seeking assurances that adequate cover will be put in place to prevent a repeat of this.”

Chairman of Transporation Donald Manford said:

“This betrays an arrogance on behalf of HIAL. The Comhairle previously asked for a meeting with the company which they declined to attend and today’s cancellations also demonstrate an inability to manage. I would call on the next Scottish Executive, of whatever political hue, to act as a matter of urgency and bring HIAL into line to properly serve the people of the Western Isles”.