The planned withdrawal of Loganair services between Inverness and the Northern Isles could severely harm local employment and dent the region’s growing energy sector, according to Inverness and Nairn’s MSP, Emma Roddick.

Speaking at First Minister’s Questions today, Ms Roddick raised urgent concerns regarding the knock-on effects the decision will have on workers based at Dalcross and Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL).  She also highlighted the risk of losing skilled workers who do or would make use of these transport links to travel to the Inner Moray Firth to support ever-expanding local energy projects, such as those at the Port of Ardersier.

The Inverness and Nairn MSP pressed the First Minister to share her deep concerns over the potential economic fallout for families across the constituency.

Commenting after the session, Ms Roddick said:

“While much of the focus has rightly been on the fact that these are lifeline services for our island communities, I am incredibly concerned about what the loss of these services will mean for workers and families across Inverness and Nairn, and our local economy.

“These flights support dedicated staff at Dalcross and HIAL, alongside the skilled workforce we need moving through the Inner Moray Firth to support our just transition to clean energy.

“We cannot afford to let our communities lose out on jobs or see our economic growth or energy security stalled by a reduction in connectivity.  I wanted to ensure the First Minister hears directly how worried local people are about this proposal, and I will continue to do everything I can to protect our local workforce and press for solutions that keep the Highlands moving forward.”

The proposed changes have sparked widespread concern across the region due to the high reliance on regional aviation for both islanders travelling to hospital appointments and the multi-million-pound energy developments currently expanding across the Inverness and Inner Moray Firth areas.