Na h-Eileanan an Iar MSP Alasdair Allan and MP Angus MacNeil have today welcomed the introduction of Loganair’s new compassionate travel policy which will give eligible customers access to a 50% discounted fare in times of a family emergency.

The compassionate fare, developed in partnership with the Facebook campaign, will offer the reduced rate flights and flexibility to customers who need to make bookings at short notice on compassionate grounds.

The new scheme will be available to customers who need to travel at short notice for the following reasons:

• The bereavement of an immediate family member
• Cases of critical and unexpected illness involving an immediate family member
• An immediate family member is receiving in-patient treatment

Alasdair Allan commented:

“This is a big step forward and I appreciate the efforts made to achieve this. It is only right that airline companies look sympathetically at cases where people need to travel to the mainland due to a family emergency.
“This does not address the wider issue of the overall costs to islanders and I will continue to press Loganair on this and other issues constituents raise with me when I meet with them next month.”

Angus MacNeil said:

“This is welcome news and I hope the scheme will work well for the benefit of island residents.

“Loganair responded to pressure from the public to introduce this scheme and they are to be commended for that. Everyone would now like to see a consistent reduction in flight prices to and from the Isles.”