Wick airport will operate as normal during strike action – but Loganair cancels flights between Inverness and islands

Wick John O'Groats Airport is expected to operate as normal during industrial action this month, but Inverness Airport will be closed on two dates.

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) made the announcement on Friday after the Prospect union informed the operator of strikes and work to rule dates.

Airport fire service and security staff who are represented by Prospect rejected a five per cent offer in October and the union says no substantive offer has been made since then.

Strikes will take place on several dates between March 8 and March 17.

Inverness Airport will be closed on March 13 along with Dundee and Islay, while on March 17 Inverness and Dundee will be closed. Stornoway Airport will be closed on March 8-9 and Benbecula and Islay will be shut on March 10.

But HIAL said that Wick John O'Groats along with Barra, Campbeltown, Sumburgh and Tiree, would operate as normal on the strike days.

Kirkwall Airport will only operate inter-island flights on March 10, HIAL added.

It also said that some disruption may be caused from March 18 as firefighters take action short of a strike, including an overtime ban, a refusal to cover non-ambulance extensions and special openings, working to rosters and withdrawal of good will.

The closures prompted Loganair to temporarily suspend its flights on routes between affected airports from March 18 – namely Inverness to Stornoway and Benbecula and from Inverness to Kirkwall and Sumburgh.

A Loganair spokesman said: “We completely understand that this unprecedented step will be unwelcome news to communities who depend on the air services Loganair provides.

"It’s a step that we are taking with the utmost reluctance and only after careful consideration of all other options.

"We have sadly concluded that it’s simply not realistic to continue our efforts to provide services between HIAL airports when the action short of a strike is intended to disrupt and counter those efforts at every turn.

"The suspension provides advance – even if unwelcome – certainty around which our customers can adjust travel plans, as opposed to facing the risk of on-the-day flight cancellations or significant delays.

"We hope that the period of suspension – initially through to April 30 – will provide time and space for the parties to this dispute to meet and reach a resolution, enabling these long-running services to resume thereafter.”

HIAL met with representatives from the trade unions on Wednesday and said that discussions had been positive.

However, the unions confirmed that as no formal offer had been tabled, the industrial action would continue as planned from March 8.

Inglis Lyon, HIAL’s managing director, said: “We apologise for the disruption this will cause for our customers. The ongoing industrial action is having a significant impact on our airline partners and the announcement by Loganair to temporarily suspend some flights will cause considerable disruption for our island communities.

“At the meeting with the trade unions we sought, and obtained, clarity on the key elements on their claim in a bid to resolve the dispute. The unions appreciate HIAL’s position within the complexities of the wider public sector pay discussions.

“It is vital that we find a mutual solution to resolve this dispute and will now discuss our options within the parameters of public sector pay flexibility with the HIAL board and Transport Scotland.”

Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant slammed Loganair’s decision to suspend flights to and from Scotland’s islands to Inverness in response to the work to rule action planned by HIAL staff.

Mrs Grant said: “The air routes to and from Inverness from the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland are essential lifeline services that enable islanders to attend medical appointments, attend family emergencies and meet tight travel deadlines. To remove these routes in response to strike action by HIAL staff where they will work to rule is a complete over-reaction.

“Loganair instead needs to apply pressure on HIAL to get round the negotiating table, rather than on their customers in the islands who are already having to negotiate horrendous transport issues and have no influence in these matters.”

Jane Rose, Prospect negotiation officer, said last month: "Members have resisted taking action for many months in the hope of avoiding disruption to their communities. However, we are in the worst cost of living crisis in 40 years and both HIAL and the Scottish Government have completely failed to try and deliver a pay increase that properly addresses that. As such we have no option but to take this action."

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