Plans have been backed for the idea of an air route between Skye and Glasgow.
Members of the Isle of Skye and Raasay Committee, from the Highland Council, have given their backing to progress being made on proposals for developing air services to and from Skye.
They have also given their support to the setting up of a working group to spearhead the establishment of a trial air link between Skye and Glasgow.
The Skye Air Services Business Case Report, commissioned through HITRANS (Regional Transport Partnership) as a collaborative study involving Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), was presented to the HITRANS Board meeting at the end of April.
At the area committee yesterday (Monday 4 June), councillors had the opportunity to discuss the report which sets out the wider socio-economic benefits of reintroducing scheduled air services to Skye and looks at delivering the new investment in an affordable and sustainable way.
Taking into account constrained public sector finances, recommendations in the report include the initial setting up of a trial air link between the Skye and Glasgow and proposes that a working group be established to develop this option.
The new working group, which will include representation from Highland Council, HITRANS, HIE, Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, Transport Scotland and Loganair, will be tasked with establishing the capital and operational investment required to support the trial.
Chair of the Isle of Skye and Raasay committee, Councillor John Gordon said: ‘The reintroduction of scheduled flights to Skye would be an enormous boost to our local economy. People want to come and visit our beautiful area and we want to make it as easy as possible for them to access all that we have to offer.
‘The proposed trial looks like a really viable option. I would like to thank Council officers and our partners in HITRANS and HIE for their work to date and our committee looks forward to receiving regular updates on how plans are progressing.’
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