Prospect, the union representing airport fire service and security workers at HIAL, said strike action had been called off for Monday (13 March) after an enhanced pay offer was put to its members alongside those belonging to Unite and the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS).

“This offer was positively received and will allow the unions to consult and ballot their members. The trade unions have agreed to suspend industrial action while the ballot is under way,” HIAL said.

Prospect and Unite will ballot their members from 13 March to 20 March.

A national dispute – involving the PCS union – will still ago ahead on Wednesday (15 March) but HIAL said airports impacted “will remain open as normal and we do not anticipate any disruption”.

A Loganair spokesperson said: “We warmly welcome this positive step forward in negotiations between HIAL airports and their unions.

“Loganair aims to resume services from Inverness to Kirkwall, Sumburgh, Stornoway and Benbecula as soon as it is practical to do so and we will issue further updates in due course in line with the ballot outcome.”