Hope for development as Hebridean extends Argyll air routes and services

This is the most encouraging sign yet that it may be possible to make sense of Oban Airport and to build a muscular internal air service for Argyll, capable of supporting tourist development.

Hebridean Air Services is the operator contracted by Argyll and Bute Council to provide the Argyll Air Service, inherited the routes run by Highland Airways, between Oban and Colonsay and between Oban, Coll and Tiree.

Now it is opening up twice weekly day returns between Oban and Islay; and Islay and Colonsay.

There has always been a disjunction between these services and the separate service run by Flybe / Loganair from Glasgow to Campbeltown and Islay.

Argyll has been in clear need of a connection between these two systems, a closing of a gap that left Argyll island groups unable to connect directly with each other.

Hebridean Air Services’ development opens up the first regular two-way connections between Colonsay and Islay, its big sister in the island group which includes Jura. It also gives Islay fast connections with Glasgow and with Oban, with access from there by air to Coll and Tiree and to the ferries over to Mull and out to the Western Isles.

This is a good start to opening up the potential for visitors as well as residents of Argyll’s chain of airports. If the price is right, the marketing is inventive and the support infrastructure is developed through private enterprise at the various destinations, these services can be attractive and successful. Information below looks as if Hebridean are aware of the centrality of an appropriate pricing policy.

What we need now is the energetic development of private flying with all of the fabulous resources Argyll can profitably offer to this high net worth leisure activity.

Highlands and Islands Airports needs to smarten up its act at Campbeltown to build this traffic and usage as strongly as it has the capacity to do. Oban Airport needs to do the same. There is the airstrip at Glenforsa on Mull, an airstrip on Gigha.

We have the physical capacity, the facilities. We need the imagination, the flair, the knowledge and the will to drive this potentially valuable lifestyle tourism developemnt for Argyll.

Details of Hebridean’s route development

There will be, from 1st June 2010, a day return service on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Oban and Colonsay to Islay. The schedule is:

• a departure from Oban at 08.05, routing through Colonsay to Islay. This will allow Colonsay residents the opportunity of flying to Islay to connect with the FlyBe service to Glasgow.
• a departure from Islay to Oban at 09.30, returning from Oban to Islay at 15.10 and presumably routing through Colonsay on the return to Oban. This gives Islay residents opportunity of a day return sevice to Oban.

Passengers intending to use the Air Service at Islay are advised to use the free long term car park. It has a portakabin for the use of Hebridean Air Services passengers.

Hebridean say that this is to ensure that passengers on the Glasgow services are segregated from those travelling to or from Oban and Colonsay. They do not say why this segregation is necessary but note that passengers may use the terminal for connections and facilities such as refreshments and car hire.

Hebridean make no apology for their hope that this long awaited innovation gets the support of both business and leisure users and becomes a well used part of the local transport infrastructure.

Addition to Oban services to Colonsay and Coll

The operator is also announcing a trial service – a weekend special return between Oban and Colonsay, and Oban and Coll.

These flights will depart on a Friday and Sunday afternoon – and all seats will have a weekend special fare of £40 single.

Early Bird fare discounts on all routes

Hebridean are offering reduced fares on all routes. Passengers will have the option of booking an Early Bird fare online, where a limited number of seats are available on every flight at a lower fare.

All of the new services and fares are available on Hebridean Air Services’ web booking service which will come into effect at the end of May.

In the meantime, for more information visit the Hebridean Air Services website.