Loganair admits 'ridiculous' claim that half price fares don't increase passenger numbers was 'incorrect'
Glasgow-based airline had said removing discount for islanders would not reduce demand
MSPs have criticised Loganair for their "ridiculous" and "clearly incorrect" claims that removing half price fares for islanders would have no impact on passenger numbers after airline chiefs admitted they had “incorrectly suggested that” in evidence to a Holyrood committee.
Loganair’s head of government and corporate affairs Simon McNamara told the transport committee on Wednesday he “did not believe” the air discount scheme had any impact on fliers, even though some tickets can cost £600-700.
However, 24 hours later, a spokesperson for the carrier said: “During yesterday’s evidence session to the committee, we incorrectly suggested that removing the air discount scheme (ADS) would not affect Loganair’s passenger numbers. We’re sorry for the confusion.
“ADS makes flying more affordable for island residents, and its removal would reduce the number able to travel.
“It remains one of the Scottish Government’s most effective tools for supporting island connectivity.
“We've written to the Committee to formally correct the record, and we remain fully engaged with government, councils and island communities on the issues raised in yesterday's session."
MSPs at the committee meeting who had expressed disbelief at the original claim reprimanded Loganair for making it.
Committee member and Reform UK Scotland transport spokesperson Graham Simpson, said: “It was obviously ridiculous to claim that removing a fares discount would not affect passenger numbers.
“The high level of fares for non-islanders puts people off travelling and that is something that must be addressed.
“Fares are still high for islanders and that also means many just can’t travel by air.
“The transport committee is taking island air connectivity extremely seriously. We need a new system in my view because what we have isn’t working for many.”
Willie Rennie, the committee’s convener and Scottish Liberal Democrats transport spokesperson, said: “In the committee, I was challenging the assertion from Loganair that the air discount scheme was only to the benefit of passengers and not the airline.
“It was clearly incorrect to say that higher prices, without ADS, would make no difference to passenger numbers, which is why it is right for Loganair to correct what they told the committee.
“But the company now needs to accept that ADS does increase passenger numbers and also their profitability.
“They may argue that this is not enough to make flights viable but they have to accept that it does help.”
Mr Rennie had told Loganair during the meeting that the committee’s questions to the airline “reflect the degree of distrust there is with the company with the communities and I would hope that you take that away.”
Loganair’s admission came after it emerged last month that the cost of the ADS had increased by 20 per cent last year despite 3,000 fewer passengers being carried.
Figures obtained from a Freedom of Information request showed the cost went up from £13.26m in 2024-25 to £15.76m in 2025-26, with the subsidy per passenger increasing from £74.33 to £89.35.
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