Strikes close three remote Scottish Highlands and Islands airports

Three of Scotland’s most remote airports are closed on Monday due to strikes.

The facilities on the Outer Hebridean islands of Barra and Benbecula, as well as Sumburgh Airport on Shetland, will also be shuttered on Thursday as a result of the action from Unite union members.

Bosses at Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (Hial) also confirmed earlier this month that Stornoway Airport on the Isle of Lewis will be open from 1pm to 7.45pm during the strikes and Kirkwall Airport in Orkney will open from 7.15am to 1pm, and only for inter-island flights.

The remaining Hial airports, in Campbeltown, Dundee, Inverness, Islay, Tiree and Wick John O’Groats, will operate as usual.

The strike action comes after the union members rejected the 5% pay rise they have been offered, with almost three quarters (73.5%) backing strike action in a ballot.

After the vote, Hial managing director Inglis Lyon said the demands from the union were “unrealistic”.

“We deeply regret the disruption and inconvenience to our airline partners, passengers, and local communities that this action will cause.

“Against the backdrop of unprecedented financial pressures, we presented an enhanced pay offer to colleagues that maximised the flexibility within the Scottish Government’s pay policy, which Hial is bound by.

“We recognise the challenges colleagues face due to inflationary pressures and the cost-of-living crisis.

“However, the claim for a rise of at least RPI is unrealistic, and any further offer must be met from cost savings within existing budgets.

“We will continue dialogue with the trade unions in an attempt to avoid further industrial action.”

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur said: “There is no doubt that this action will cause serious disruption in the run-up to Christmas.

“I understand that Loganair is offering to rebook affected passengers without any additional charges and looking to put in place contingency arrangements wherever possible.

“However, having increased airport charges to operators last month to cover the costs of a higher pay offer, Hial and Scottish ministers need to explain why passengers are having to pay more in fares but still deal with the disruption caused by strike action.

“This festive double whammy is the last thing islanders need in the run-up to Christmas.

“Hial and Scottish ministers need to get talks back underway so there is no further disruption to our lifeline services.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: “We absolutely respect the democratic right of union members to take industrial action – though it is disappointing that passengers face the prospect of disruption ahead of the festive period.

“We encourage Hial and Unite to continue to engage in positive dialogue in order to resolve this dispute.”