The pay dispute between the Unite union and Highlands and Islands Airports Limited, whose staff it represents, earlier this month led to Loganair temporarily suspending several routes to Scotland’s islands.
It came after nearly three-quarters of workers represented by Unite at 11 Scottish airports operated by HIAL, operated by the Scottish government, voted in favour of outright strike action, and nearly 93% in favour of action short of a strike.
Loganair said a first round of walkouts in February had impacted its ability to operate its Highlands and islands schedules confidently, resulting in services between Stornoway and Benbecula, and from Inverness to Kirkwall and Sumburgh, being halted from 17 March to 30 April.
However, Loganair has since confirmed flights from Inverness to HIAL airports will resume from 24 April – a week earlier than anticipated – after the pay dispute was resolved.
Unite on Tuesday (21 March) said the majority of its 120 HIAL members had voted to accept a revised pay offer ensuring a basic salary uplift of 7% for those earning up to £44,000, and a 5% increase to shift allowances. The union represents HIAL security staff, baggage handlers, ground crew, fire and rescue responders and administrative workers.
Shauna Wright, Unite industrial officer, said: “The deal represents a significant shift in position from when the industrial action by Unite members started in December. There has been movement by the company [HIAL], and ultimately the Scottish government, which has brought the dispute to an end for Unite. We are pleased our members will receive a significant boost to their pay and conditions."
A Loganair spokesperson said: "With this news, we can all now focus on delivering a busy summer season ahead – the first full year of open international travel since the pandemic – without fear of rolling disruption to island flights from strikes and work-to-rule actions.
"We have reviewed all possibilities to restore suspended services between HIAL airports earlier than initially anticipated, and we are happy to confirm that flights from Inverness will resume on Monday 24 April, one week earlier than previously planned."
