The Scottish Government has moved to secure air links serving Orkney by awarding more than £1 million to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) to enable a full restoration of services on the Sumburgh–Kirkwall–Inverness route.
Government funding to restart services
The funding announcement, made on Thursday, follows a recent reduction in services by Loganair that prompted widespread concern among residents, elected representatives and businesses across the Highlands, Islands and Shetland.
Transport secretary Stephen Flynn said he was "pleased" with the decision and confirmed the reinstatement will begin on 26 October. He also said Transport Scotland would work with HIAL and other industry stakeholders to establish "a sustainable, long-term solution to protect Highlands and Islands air services for those who rely on them."
"Hial and Loganair have worked collaboratively through commercial discussions to restart these services from 26th October, providing greater certainty to passengers." — Stephen Flynn
Local operators welcome intervention
HIAL's chief executive, Paul Kelsall, described the funding as a "positive step for passengers and for the wider connectivity of the Highlands and Islands," adding the airport operator remained committed to finding a "lasting solution" that benefits those who use regional airports.
Loganair's chief executive, Luke Farajallah, acknowledged the importance of the routes to local communities. He underlined the commercial pressures of operating "thin" routes and welcomed the Scottish Government intervention as the means to restore full services.
"We're a privately owned airline, and keeping thin routes like these flying isn't something we can always do alone, so we're genuinely pleased that the Scottish government has stepped in to make full services possible again from October." — Luke Farajallah
Why this matters in Kirkwall
Regular air services to Inverness form a vital link for residents of Orkney to mainland services including health appointments, business travel and onward connections. The Sumburgh–Kirkwall–Inverness route also supports tourism and local supply chains. When Loganair announced cuts earlier this year, it triggered substantial local backlash and a joint campaign by the Shetland Times and the Inverness Courier under the banner "Save Our Flights."
- Who benefits: residents, businesses, tourists and public services reliant on air links.
- Who is involved: Scottish Government, Transport Scotland, HIAL and Loganair.
- When services resume: full services from 26 October.
Short-term restoration, longer-term questions
While the financial award has secured the immediate reinstatement of flights, ministers and industry figures are clear the move does not constitute a permanent model for thin routes. Both HIAL and Transport Scotland have signalled work will continue on how to maintain connectivity sustainably in the long term without relying on ad hoc interventions.
The announcement will be welcomed in Kirkwall and across Orkney as it brings back certainty for passengers planning travel this autumn. At the same time, the episode has underlined the fragility of regional aviation and the degree to which public support may be needed to preserve essential links between island communities and the mainland.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Funding | More than £1 million awarded to HIAL |
| Routes restored | Sumburgh – Kirkwall – Inverness |
| Service restart date | 26 October |
For Kirkwall, the funding decision and the promise of restored services represent a reprieve for communities dependent on reliable air connections. The focus now shifts to negotiations and planning between the Scottish Government, HIAL and industry to deliver a sustainable future for lifeline routes serving the Highlands and Islands.
