ARGYLL & BUTE COUNCIL MID ARGYLL, KINTYRE & THE ISLANDS AREA COMMITTEE OPERATIONAL SERVICES 6 AUGUST 2008

ARGYLL AIR SERVICES

1. SUMMARY

At the Executive meeting on 19 June 2008 it was agreed that a paper would be presented to the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee relating to the air service provision between and the Argyll Islands.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee note the content of this Report.

3. DETAILS

The Argyll Air Services project commenced on Monday 16 June 2008 with the inaugural flight at 0830 from Oban to and then on to . There was significant media coverage on that day and there was also a number of elected Members and former elected Members present at this launch. The air service from Oban to Coll, and Tiree is carried out on a public service obligation basis, which in effect means it is subsidised by the Scottish Government. The flights are operated by Highland Airways and tickets for these flights can be purchased from the website at www.highlandairways.co.uk from where it is possible to purchase flights to our various airports for the next nine months.

The costs of flights are as follows: -

Oban to Coll return £79.98 Oban to Tiree return £96.05 Oban to Colonsay return £79.98

Also costs include a departing passenger charge or passenger load supplement of £7.50 at Oban, Coll and Colonsay for passengers over the age of two; and £13.57 from the HIAL operated . The £7.50 charge was agreed at the Council meeting on 14 February.

However if web users use the “low fare finder” button on the Highland Airways website it is possible to acquire significant reductions on flights between our islands. In general terms if customers book six weeks in advance it is possible to get a return flight to Coll and Colonsay for £59.98 which represents a £20 reduction on 1

the full price fare. A similar price reduction can be obtained by booking in advance for flights between Oban and Tiree.

In addition to these services there are ongoing discussions with Community Services with a view to commencing scholar flights early next term. These flights will fly on Friday evenings and Monday mornings as light permits and Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoon when light is a problem between late Autumn through to early spring. The price of the scholar flights is £1 per flight.

The purpose of this project is to service our Islands to improve accessibility to the mainland for some of our most isolated communities but it will also aid and support economical development and encourage visitors to this area. These new services will give a new transport option to people living on three of our furthest away islands and will also enable Island children attending Oban High School to take advantage of our special scholar flights and be able to fly home regularly to their family and friends.

4. IMPLICATIONS

4.1 Policy The aerodromes at Coll, Colonsay and Oban have achieved licensed status.

4.2 Financial Highland Airways are running the operation as a public service obligation which is subsidised in part by the Scottish Government.

4.3 Personnel None

4.4 Equalities Impact None Assessment

4.5 Legal None

For further information, please contact Stewart Turner, Head of Roads & Amenity Services, Tel: 01546 604611

Stewart Turner Head of Roads & Amenity Services 17 July 2008

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