Highlands and Islands Airports (HIAL) are being urged to improve their service after 45 passengers were stranded at Stornoway Airport last night (Thursday).
Loganair’s plane flew to Glasgow leaving them behind after the travellers were unable to go through security due to the unavailability of staff. The aircraft was empty apart from crew members.
In July, Loganair’s chief executive officer, Luke Farajallah, lashed out over a similar incident, accusing the security team of “leaving the airport and refusing to handle the flight” which prevent people getting on the Stornoway to Edinburgh service late on a Sunday evening.
Transport chiefs at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar have raised concerns over the situation as paying passengers are often travelling for employment reasons or trying to make connections to overseas holidays.
On Thursday evening, travellers with a Glasgow-bound ticket arrived at the airport
but were dismayed to be told at the last minute there was no chance of getting on
the plane due to the unavailability of personnel to process passengers through security.
Due to earlier delays, the Loganair aircraft was running well over an hour behind schedule when it landed at Lewis airfield it is understood.
An airline spokesperson said: “We sympathise with the frustration of all passengers who were unable to board the service from Stornoway to Glasgow last night (Thurs) owing to the closure of the security area.
“We are confident HIAL recognise the importance of resolving this matter very quickly and that they will engage with their staff accordingly to make this happen.”
A HIAL spokesperson said: “Stornoway Airport yesterday (Thursday) received an extension request outwith operating hours.
“Unfortunately, due to operational reasons, we were unable accommodate this request. We apologise to passengers for any inconvenience.”
Uisdean Robertson, transportation and infrastructure committee chairman at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar urged the airport operator to “improve the resilience” of their service at Stornoway Airport.
Cllr Robertson said: “I have heard reports from individuals who have missed work commitments and connections to holidays abroad because of these cancellations.
“As a community we are used to accepting the disruption of weather-related cancellations
and frustrations of technical difficulties but when flights are cancelled for seemingly
avoidable reasons it is right that we demand that improvements are made. “
He added: “Consistent and reliable transport links are vital for our communities. To achieve this the lack of resilience we are witnessing must be addressed.”
Meanwhile, the Inverness - Stornoway return air service was cancelled this afternoon
due to a broken plane. The Manchester leg from Inverness will be operated by a different
aircraft.
A spokesperson for Loganair said: “Unfortunately a technical issue has resulted in the cancellation of our Stornoway – Inverness flight today. We apologise to all passengers affected, including those transferring to Manchester, and thank them for their patience.”
All passengers have been offered alternative travel options said the airline.
45 passengers left behind at Stornoway Airport due to ‘operational reasons’
27 September 2024