Another miserable day for passengers coming to the islands
Flybe staff are openly admitting their bosses are not making enough replacement planes available after yet another day of technical mayhem in the north. Passengers have been stuck in Inverness for much of the day. Why should business people bother trying to get to the islands when the air service is in meltdown?
More cancellations and interminable delays today at Inverness. There was no urgency by Flybe to get its passengers to the islands. Passenger information was also pretty dire by all accounts. All because our island representatives appear to be on holiday or can’t be bothered to do anything. It would not be tolerated elsewhere but there has not been a cheep from our head-in-the-sand elected representatives.
What are the islands’ MP and MSP doing? What is islands minister Derek Mackay doing? What is our council doing? We all know the answers to these questions. The stock answer today was: “We have already asked Flybe to provide better cover. It is up to them.”
No it isn’t. It is up to you – the elected representatives to demand action. And that does not mean sending another stupid letter. If Flybe cannot improve, replace them. Simple. That is what politicians are elected to do – to stand up for local people. Right now, it is simply not happening.
I completely understand the passengers’ anger. No one seems to care about services to the Western Isles any more. Flybe has cut everything to the bone. The islanders who should be demanding action simply cannot be bothered. It will get worse before it gets better.
There seems to be a concerted effort from somewhere to kick the Western Isles economy into the long grass. Not so long ago various travel writers and visitor information organisations were falling over themselves to announce what a brilliant place the Western Isles was to visit. Here was our big chance to capitalise on good reviews. Chance missed. Nothing can be done about the crap weather but what with ferry problems, air transport and the total lack of interest from our elected political light-weights, an air of despondency has descended on us. What is going to happen when folk start turning up for the festival? If they manage to get here at all? We call upon Bill and Ben and the 106 councillors to do something for these islands which is within their means and doesn’t involve pie in the sky electrical projects.
Bang on the button there Pooper. The MP and MSP have gone awol until the next elections, and the Convenor, Leader, Chair of Transport, and Chair of Development are all asleep at the wheel.
Meanwhile, for ordinary people, things go from bad to worse.