BENBECULA – STORNOWAY FLIGHT CONCERNS

SIÂN SWINTON

Despite the increase in operating days for the new Benbecula to Stornoway flight, Uist residents
have not welcomed the change.

Hebridean Air is due to take over the Public Service Obligation (PSO) route from Loganair starting
on 12 April, a full two weeks after Loganair halted operations on the route. They are scheduled to
operate return flights on Monday, Tuesday and Friday in their eight seat Britten Norman Islander
aircraft at a cost of £99 per person each way.

Passenger demand vs seat availability

Concerns about passenger capacity and accessibility onto the aircraft have been raised by Uist
residents and community groups who rely on the service for medical treatment in Stornoway and
beyond.

Benbecula Medical Practice Patient Participation Group (PPG) has written to the Comhairle
detailing their concerns:

• “1. The reduced number of seats available for patients travelling to appointments in Stornoway;
• 2. The inability of consultants to hold clinics in Uist due both to the reduction in passenger capacity and the proposed scheduling of flights;
• 3. The difficulties for passengers who have mobility issues to physically access the aircraft.”

The PPG note that the ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) clinic for April/May in Benbecula has already
been cancelled.

The ATR series aircraft used by Loganair had a seating capacity of up to five times more than the
plane now taking over the route.

Pam Roe, a Uist resident who has been making regular journeys to Stornoway for chemotherapy
treatment, told Am Pàipear about her worry of not being guaranteed a seat on the plane going
forward and how this would affect her ability to access treatment. She said:

“The Comhairle has told us that the average number of passengers on this route was six, but I
have made frequent trips for my treatment and there has never been fewer than eight passengers
and very often many more.”

When asked to provide passenger numbers for the route, the Comhairle supplied an average of 8
passengers per flight month to month for the time period March 2020 to April 2021. This period
encompasses the beginning of Covid restrictions when many treatments and operations were
cancelled and no one was travelling for leisure reasons.

A spokesperson for NHS Western Isles Board rejected the Comhairle’s passenger numbers claim:
“Any suggestion that the average passenger numbers for the service averaged no more than eight
is factually very inaccurate if you examine numbers between 2019 and 2024. It is correct that
there was a not surprising, pandemic related reduction in numbers in the 2020/21 period. Either
side of that, the numbers bear no resemblance.”

Patients unable to access the plane would face an hour long ferry journey from Berneray to
Leverburgh as well as a return car journey of up to 220 miles.

Reduced mobility access concerns

When asked about the accessibility onto the aircraft Hebridean Air said:
“The aircraft operated on these routes may impact on our ability to carry passengers with reduced
mobility. There is no mechanical aid available or suitable for assisting passengers to board/exit
this aircraft type. The door sill height is 60cm off the ground. We supply a small step-up to assist
those passengers that need it.

“We would suggest that persons of reduced mobility travel with a companion who can assist with
boarding or exiting if required. In order to ensure the safety of all passengers on board it is a
requirement of the Airline that all passengers must be able to board/exit the aircraft without the
need for staff support.”

The Comhairle has made clear that the contract for the service was awarded to the only compliant
bid. Cllr Uisdean Robertson, Chair of Transportation and Infrastructure said:

“We recognise this is not an ideal situation and we are doing everything in our power to find a
better solution. The fact is that our hands are tied by the limited budget we have at our disposal.
For the most part, this route operates as medical service, yet our Health Board make no
contribution to its cost.”

A spokesperson for NHS WI said:
“It is correct to say that the Health Board does not contribute to the grant CnES receives for the
service. The PSO route is solely a matter for, and the responsibility of, the Comhairle. Western
Isles NHS Board was not party to the assessment, preparation, tendering or awarding of this PSO
contract,
“The figures over the past five years, accepting a dip due to the pandemic in 2020/21, show a
consistent and high use of the flights. As a consequence, Western Isles NHS Board makes a huge
and significant financial contribution in terms of paying for the seats it books.”
Cllr Robertson went on to say: “Ministers have recognised our plight and have encouraged us to
work with our partners in Health. With that in mind, Hitrans recently hosted a joint meeting with
the regions NHS Boards to identify how we can collectively address some of the challenges
patients encounter. Chairs or Representatives from every relevant Health Board were there, but
the Western Isles Board was unable to send any representative at all. If we are to find a way
forward, then the Health Board needs to come to the table.”

Issues with the new proposed flights have been raised at Community Councils across Uist leading
Iochdar CC to organise a meeting with representatives of all the community councils in
attendance to address the concerns collectively.

Peter Bird, chair of Iochdar CC said: “It can’t be a public service if the public can’t use it.” Mr Bird
is keen to use the power of community councils to hold decision makers to account by inviting
them to attend a meeting where the public could, hopefully, receive replies to a lot of unanswered
questions.