McGrigor welcomes reduced air fares proposal but seeks answers on eligibility

Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor has welcomed Scottish Executive proposals to bring down air fares to some of Scotland’s remoter communities.

However, the Conservative MSP has warned that the scheme must be properly funded and is seeking answers from Transport Minister Tavish Scott over how the Executive plans to ensure that only those eligible for discounts to flights will receive them.

Mr McGrigor has also sought confirmation that students from eligible areas will get the discount, arguing that there was already an increasing burden on those in further education.

Jamie McGrigor said “I largely welcome the Executive’s announcement of the proposals to subsidise air fares in the Highlands and Islands.
”People in Scotland’s remoter areas have looked on with a mixture of envy and frustration as air fares from Scotland’s major airports to both national and international destinations dropped, while prices on routes within Scotland, and particularly within the Highlands and Islands, have increased.

“However, I want to know how the Executive plan to ensure that only those with a main residence in one of these eligible areas will benefit from the reductions and how much the Executive expect these checks to cost annually. It is important to know whether responsibility for ensuring eligibility will fall on those selling the tickets or on the Executive.

“Also, with the ever-increasing burden on those in further education and student debts mounting, I have asked the Minister to confirm whether students from the eligible areas will benefit from the reductions or if they’ll be forced to pay full fares.

“With the scheme hoped to increase air travel in the Highlands and Islands, the Executive must ensure that the funds they have allocated to deliver the scheme are sufficient and that this does not become just another part-delivered Executive initiative”.