Loganair welcomes breakthrough in Highlands strike negotiations

Loganair said it aims to resume suspended Highlands services “as soon as is practical” after welcoming positive negotiations over industrial action by workers at Highlands and Islands Airports (HIAL).

The carrier announced last week that it would suspend some services for more than six weeks from March 17 due to the potential impact of work to rule plans from airport staff.

These plans were in addition to ongoing strike action which has now been called off with effect from Monday following an enhanced pay offer.

HIAL said in a statement: “Prospect Union has confirmed that the current strike action by airport fire service and security members has been called off with effect from Monday 13 March.

“HIAL met with the three trade unions, PCS, Prospect and Unite yesterday, Thursday 9 March, and made an enhanced pay offer.

“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 underway.

“Prospect and Unite will ballot their members. The ballots will run from Monday 13 March to Monday 20 March.”

In response, Loganair 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.”