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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Airline bosses admit 'problems' | Airline bosses admit 'problems' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A Scottish airline said it had temporarily stopped taking bookings to protect customers while it sought to end uncertainty over its future. | |
| Management at Highland Airways told employees at a staff meeting that the firm was not in immediate trouble. | Management at Highland Airways told employees at a staff meeting that the firm was not in immediate trouble. |
| However, the Inverness-based company was experiencing what they described as "continuing problems". | |
| First Minister Alex Salmond said the Scottish government had a duty to protect lifeline services. | |
| He said public agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) was aware of negotiations to secure fresh investment for the airline. | |
| Highland Airways links the islands of Colonsay, Coll and Tiree with Oban on the mainland and also Stornoway in the Western Isles and Inverness. | |
| The airline also operates flights between Cardiff and Anglesey in Wales. | |
| A management buy-out of the company in 2006 was backed by £620,000 from HIE. | |
| The staff meeting was held at Inverness Airport. | The staff meeting was held at Inverness Airport. |
| A routine flight taking a delivery of newspapers from the mainland to Sumburgh in Shetland went ahead as planned. | A routine flight taking a delivery of newspapers from the mainland to Sumburgh in Shetland went ahead as planned. |
| Protection duties | Protection duties |
| Highland Airways was set up in 1991, as Air Alba, and has gone on to operate mainly island routes in Scotland and Wales. | Highland Airways was set up in 1991, as Air Alba, and has gone on to operate mainly island routes in Scotland and Wales. |
| It has also carried out other work including mail and fisheries protection duties. | It has also carried out other work including mail and fisheries protection duties. |
| In August, BBC Scotland reported that two fisheries protection aircraft operated by Highland Airways had been out of action for six weeks. | In August, BBC Scotland reported that two fisheries protection aircraft operated by Highland Airways had been out of action for six weeks. |
| The Scottish government said delays in completing the necessary documentation had prevented the planes from flying. | The Scottish government said delays in completing the necessary documentation had prevented the planes from flying. |
| The protection agency, established in 1991, enforces UK, European Union and international fisheries laws and regulations in the seas around Scotland and in Scottish ports. | The protection agency, established in 1991, enforces UK, European Union and international fisheries laws and regulations in the seas around Scotland and in Scottish ports. |
| It owns two Reims Cessna Caravan II F-406 aircraft contracted to Highland Airways and based at Inverness Airport. | It owns two Reims Cessna Caravan II F-406 aircraft contracted to Highland Airways and based at Inverness Airport. |