The Scottish Government has confirmed more than £1 million of funding to restore full air services between Inverness and Stornoway, Kirkwall and Sumburgh, with the reinstated timetable due to begin on 26 October.

The funding will allow Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd and Loganair to fully reinstate the services after concerns were raised over reduced flights and the impact on island communities that rely on the routes for healthcare, business, education and access to public services.

The decision follows widespread concern from island residents, NHS organisations, businesses and politicians after Loganair reduced services, citing rising operating costs.

The restored services will reconnect Inverness with the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland, with the Scottish Government saying work will now begin on finding a long term solution to protect Highlands and Islands air links.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn said:

“I am pleased the Scottish Government has confirmed over £1 million of funding to support the full recommencement of air services connecting Inverness to Stornoway, Kirkwall and Sumburgh.

“HIAL and Loganair have worked collaboratively through commercial discussions to restart these services from 26 October, providing greater certainty to passengers.

“Transport Scotland will now work with HIAL and industry stakeholders to discuss next steps for a sustainable, long-term solution to protect Highlands and Islands air services for those who rely on them.”

Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd Chief Executive Paul Kelsall welcomed the announcement.

“We welcome confirmation that the Scottish Government will provide over £1 million of funding to support flights between Inverness Airport and Kirkwall, Stornoway and Sumburgh airports.

“This is a positive step for passengers and for the wider connectivity of the Highlands and Islands.

“As has been the case throughout this process, we are committed to finding a lasting solution which benefits the passengers who use our airports.

“We will continue to work closely with Transport Scotland and all other stakeholders to put these routes on a sustainable, long-term footing.”

Loganair Chief Executive Luke Farajallah also welcomed the funding.

“These routes matter enormously to the people who rely on them, and we’ve never lost sight of that throughout this process.

“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.

“Our commitment to the Highlands and Islands goes back decades, and it isn’t going anywhere.

“We’ll keep working with HIAL and Transport Scotland to get these routes onto a footing that lasts.”

The announcement was also welcomed by politicians representing island communities, although several said further work would be needed to secure the long term future of Highlands and Islands air services.

Na h Eileanan an Iar SNP praised the decision to restore the Stornoway to Inverness morning service, describing it as a vital route for people travelling to mainland NHS appointments.

Councillor Frances Murray said:

“The announcement today will be enormous relief to those who have been impacted by Loganair’s short-sighted decision to cut the morning service to Inverness.

“This shows the continued interest the Government has in maintaining the vital links that our island community relies on, and we welcome the work of Stephen Flynn and the transport committee behind the scenes to ensure the continued operating of the link.

“More work needs to be done to ensure the long-term sustainability of the route to ensure this does not happen again, we hope to bring this issue to the party’s national conference in the autumn for Island voices heard at the heart of the SNP.

“The First Ministers visit to the islands next week will be an opportunity for more positive engagement with island communities and highlights his long-term commitment to the Western Isles.”

Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP Maree Todd also welcomed the funding.

“This £1 million funding package from the Scottish Government to HIAL will enable the reinstatement of frequent connections between Inverness and Stornoway, Kirkwall and Sumburgh, restoring vital air links for our island communities.

“This is extremely welcome news, and I am grateful to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport for listening to the concerns raised by NHS boards, stakeholders, businesses and my constituents following Loganair’s announcement.

“As we have also seen with the funding confirmed last week for the Wick Public Service Obligation route, the Scottish Government recognises the importance of maintaining reliable air services to our rural and island communities.

“These are lifeline routes that provide essential access to healthcare, education, employment and business opportunities, and are crucial to the social and economic wellbeing of the communities they serve.

“I am pleased that the Scottish Government has acted quickly to provide support and ensure these routes can continue.

“I will continue to work with ministers, HIAL and local stakeholders to ensure the Highlands and Islands have resilient, reliable and sustainable air services that meet the needs of communities.”

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur also welcomed the reinstatement while urging ministers to go further.

“I’m pleased that the Transport Secretary has now responded to the serious concerns raised by islanders about the impact of service cuts on the Inverness route and taken the necessary steps to ensure flights can be reinstated from October.

“The reduction in services over the summer has been a source of considerable concern and stress for islanders, especially those who rely on these flights to access vital healthcare.

“This episode, however, has shown that Minsters have been asleep at the wheel ignoring warnings over recent years that these services have been at risk.

“That cannot continue to happen, with Ministers responding only when cuts to routes are threatened.

“Islanders need the Transport Secretary to take responsibility for building greater resilience across the network going forward.

“Welcome though this reinstatement of services is in the short term, Mr Flynn must now lead a strategic review of air services across the Highlands and Islands as a matter of urgency.

“I will reinforce this message when I meet the Cabinet Secretary next week and seek assurances that the government recognise the importance of avoiding a repeat of what we have seen on the Inverness route this summer.”