Loganair and BE
With the ending of the BA Franchise for Loganair, everyone expected a straight foll-over of the contract.
What a surprise to find that Loganair will now be part of BE.
After BE acquired the BA Connect routes last year, it opened up many more opportunities for travellers from the islands to get to other locations. Flying exclusively with BA meant that most travel had to be via London, and that you had to book with different airlines to get anywhere.
There are definitely more direct options with BE to travel to locations other than London, but - and this is a big but - how will this impact of the tourists when there are potentially two different carriers? Will we see visitors happy to change airlines in Glasgow, rather than be through ticketed? Or will we attract a new variety of 'regional' tourists - Newquay to Sy for the surfing?
As with every change, it is going to be unsettling, but we will have to make the best of the new opportunities presented.
What a surprise to find that Loganair will now be part of BE.
After BE acquired the BA Connect routes last year, it opened up many more opportunities for travellers from the islands to get to other locations. Flying exclusively with BA meant that most travel had to be via London, and that you had to book with different airlines to get anywhere.
There are definitely more direct options with BE to travel to locations other than London, but - and this is a big but - how will this impact of the tourists when there are potentially two different carriers? Will we see visitors happy to change airlines in Glasgow, rather than be through ticketed? Or will we attract a new variety of 'regional' tourists - Newquay to Sy for the surfing?
As with every change, it is going to be unsettling, but we will have to make the best of the new opportunities presented.
72 comments:
I wonder if it was also a surprise to the MP/MSP/Comhairle/Manford and Macsween?
It would be great if Flybe could give us some new - maybe even jet- planes!
We should encourage the new carrier not to operate on the Sabbath. They may not be aware of our local tradition.
Or Saturdays and Mondays - chust to be on the safe side.
Maybe we should just erect a huge fence around the Islands so that nobody can get in or out at all.
.....except to go to Theological College and the General Assembly.
I was only joking about the Sabbath thing don't you know but managed to hook in a couple of you!
Or one way tickets only (outbound) for our MP and MSP..
To the last contributor - are you going to keep this nonsense up for the next (at least) 4 years?
You seem to forget the previous MP and MSP were well and truly booted out by Western Isles voters!
At least Calum has had to good sense to make himself scarce. Why Alasdair has not done likewise is beyond me - especially as he wasn't considered good enough to be an MP candidate - proof that the Labour Party as well as the people of the Western Isles consider him a loser.
Anon 3:26
"To the last contributor - are you going to keep this nonsense up for the next (at least) 4 years?"
Of course he is...the poor truaghan's got to have something to do!
I must admit to having some sympathy for 12.22 anon. It must be awful to be out of power in both Western Isles and the whole of Scotland. It must take a bit of getting used to.
Does anyone have anything to say about Angus's original Loganiar and BE blog other than the demise of the Labour Party?
OK, back to the suject at hand....
The flybe press release states that 'extending Flybe’s low fare model throughout the UK - including the Highlands and Islands - which have not previously benefited from low cost airlines'
Does this mean the ADS will be applied to a lower fare than BA/Loganair currently charge?
If so, that's great - and also if so, why have we been paying more all these years? If flybe/Loganair can cut the base fare why didn't BA/Loganair?
Anon 3:26 PM
Are you just out on day release from the assylum.
Since Alasdair lost the last election he has still been working for the Western Isles. Have youy not been reading the papers regarding the upturn in Harris Tweed where Alasdair is a director of Harris Tweed Hebrides. Alasdair also has been made a director of UBC according to Angus's block of a few months back. Alasdair has created more jobs in the Islands since he left parliament than our MP and MSP have created since they were elected.
Jobs Created by MP = 0
Jobs Created by MSP = 0
Ex MSP 2 both self preservation for him.
Morrison's many jobs is simply Labour cronyism at work - jobs for the boys. I never realised he had so many talents! Tweed, construction, what can't he turn his hand to? Oh - being an MSP for more than one term!
Alasdair is loathed on these islands for not doing anything when he was an MSP and that's why he wasn't voted back in - ask anyone that works in the local hospital for instance. He shafted them left, right and centre and he and Andy Kerr did nothing to put right the wrongdoings of the Health Board. Labour supported and sustained Manson, Currie, Fordham and Smith all the way along.
He should be pushed first in the queue for the one way flybe ticket to wherever.
Yes, Morrison seems more active in the Western Isles now than he was as an MSP.
Great news about flybe. Maybe Alasdair Morrison is a director of flybe too. He used to fly up and down to Edinburgh a lot so he's well qualified!
Why didn't Morrison create the jobs he's credited as creating now when he was an MSP? What was he waiting for - better weather?
And, if Morrison is such a great guy with Labour supporters like you how come Macsween was viewed as a better MP candidate?
You're taking Labour loyalty to the extremes my friend.
Just because Morrison has been given the hand out of a couple of directorships by old palls doesn't mean he's 'working for the Western Isles. He's simply scratching around for a few bob to try and make up for the loss of his MSP salary and to save face by not having to sign on at the unemployement office. If he had a loom in his back shed or was laying a few blocks on a UBC site then I might agree he was working for the Western Isles.
Why don't you political types realise that MPs and MSPs don't create jobs. It's private companies or public organisations that create jobs. If jobs are created while they are in office, they really can't take credit for it.
Why with the unemployment figures being the way they are does Morrison need two bloody jobs!
Anon 9:52 AM
It is well seen that Alasdair did not put his name forward for candidate for Westminster. All who did had a fair democratic chance with out being pushed out unlike what happened to Angus was when standing for Holyrood.
You Nats are realy sad you just cannot see that Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum have not done a thing for us.
I remember Angus saying while he was chair of ES that Alasdair as MSP used to contact him. How often did ABM contact him while he was chair.
Anon 10:41 - presumably you also condemn Alasdair Allan, for his two jobs - MSP and Journalist.
Anon 11:11
Interesting reading. He's sold his flat in Lothian, I wonder if that means he will be buying up here or closer to Holyrood?
I didn't realise he got paid for writing his blog:
http://alasdairallan.blogspot.com/
Ah so you're on speaking terms with Angus?
Why did Alasdair contact Angus? To get him to join Labour?
Anon 11:20
"I didn't realise he got paid for writing his blog:
http://alasdairallan.blogspot.com/"
Angus, er, I mean Alasdair, hasn't updated that blog for ages now...dearie me, I'm terrible for mixing up names.
It's well known in town that Morrison was told not to put himself forward to avoid the humiliation - but that he really, really wanted the nomination.
What about all the public money (including Comhairles)Morrison has got for his internet business? SimplyGreedy.com sorry simplyrenewable.com
11:11 strikes me as a double agent!
Eyoop
How could Angus possibly know what Alasdair Allan got for Christmas or that Rhona sent the wrong Christmas Card to him?
I really don't think that this is information that AA would impart over a pint with Angus do you?
Oh it is well seen the salmon season started yesterday the Nats are bitting well today. It looks like it is going to be a good fishing season. Tight lines.
ABM, AA and Maroot must have lifted the ban on the Nats reading your blog Angus. They re back in their droves the last few days.
Bayhead's computer must be on fire today!
Anon 10:53
"All who did had a fair democratic chance with out being pushed out unlike what happened to Angus was when standing for Holyrood."
Please, must you inflict such tortured English on us? I know it's only 2 weeks after New Year, but still...
Anon 2:04
Nope, definitely Angus's work, even down to the frequent erroneous use of it's instead of its, which indeed you will find (often) on this very blog.
Back to grammar class, Angus! :-)
anon 10.41 said:
Why with the unemployment figures being the way they are does Morrison need two bloody jobs!
You mean the lowest unemployment figures ever - under 3%. This used to be classed as full employment if I remember my economics. But why let facts get in the way of our winter entertainment.
Eyoop aka the grammar police. You think the only way of defending your idols is to insult their critics.
I didn't know you had to have perfect grammar and English to post onto a blog. You are obviously the sad git who was trying to use some software on Stornoway Chat to prove that one person was posting under two pseudonyms during the election last year and ended up getting kicked out for being so insulting.
I'm sure that Angus isn't the only person to put his ''''''s in the wrong place. What a shame we can't all be as perfect as you, we might be allowed into the SNP if we were. We can only dream (or have nightmares)
To anon - 4:15 PM
Glad to see we're annoying you!
To anon 4.15 PM
We're not reading Angus's blogs, we're reading all the dross written by you defeated, impotent Labour guys which on the whole has nothing to do with Angus's blogs.
Any subject he calls up results in the SNP being slagged off and the adoration campaign for Macdonald, Morrison, Wilson and the WHFP kick in.
No such thing as graceful losers then?
"sunny side up", that is a very funny post.
Indeed, you don't need to have perfect grammar to post on a blog, but writing sentences that actually make sense would help.
Stornoway Chat, etc...no, in fact that wasn't me, but what a gall you have calling others 'insulting'. Take a look back at some of your earlier comments on this blog!
Thanks for calling me perfect (blush), but I've always thought of myself as far below perfection, though still in possession of a good sense of humour.
Yours etc,
Sad Git.
To anon 4.15PM
You've lost me there on the Maroot thing as although I'd support anyone but war mongering Labour I live in Edinburgh and don't know what/who a Maroot is. Is it a nickname or what?
Three Jobs Salmond.
I think your name should more appropriately be Three Salaries Salmond. Your name implies that he actually "works" at all of them. No, he just robs the taxpayer and his constituents.
Anon 12:12
A Maroot is a santimonious, duplicitous breed who is sometimes seen with a knife behind peoples back when previously they had implied to have been on their side. Money is a great motivator of this beast.
Thankfully they are a rare breed although it has been reported that there is one in the Western Isles, that slimes around the Council Offices from time to time.
"Sunny Side Up": why the name change? "Lewis Girl" sounded so much better. Oh, and by the way, which political party are you suggesting this week that you used to be a supporter of?
Anon 10:06
"One-hundred-and-eeeeeeeighty!"
:-)
Anon 10:06
Why anonymous, too scared someone might find out who you are?
If I was Lewis Girl on Stornoway Chat, what is the problem with that? I didn't realise that there was a law preventing anyone from posting on two web sites with different names. Maybe that will be one of the local SNP laws that they will try to pass.
Oh, and by the way, which political party are you suggesting this week that you used to be a supporter of?
One thing's for sure, it certainly isn't the SNP. I wouldn't want to be associated with a bunch of people who are self-serving hypocrits.
Still waiting for 5 things that ABM has done for the Islands. Oh and I think after an 8 month honeymoon period we are quite within our rights to ask for 5 things that AA has done for the Islands.
Let me start:-
1. Campaign for Barra not to have a direct link to the mainland on the ferry.
2. Promise a referendum on windfarms and then backtrack to say that it was the residents' responsibility.
3. Promise RET, immediately after being elected. Hmmm, what did I say about 8 months.
Eyoop, I have this vision of you in a flower printed shirt, xxx large beer belly and sweaty armpits. Hey you are starting to seem more attractive as the days go on. At least you admit you are a sad git.
Isn't it Agnes Munro that's always banging on about the 5 things in the Gazette?
No, she's always on about what 5 things the MP has or has't done.
"Eyoop, I have this vision of you in a flower printed shirt, xxx large beer belly and sweaty armpits."
That's uncanny, SSU, you must have been peeping through my curtains!
The CyberNats are blogging,
They've been at it all night long,
Their bile and venom moved me
To write this little song.
Oh the CyberNats are blogging
From Barra and Bayhead,
I think I'll stop my scanning
And Club Ego join instead!
Yes the CyberNats are blogging,
you've upset 'em once again
At postings they are expert
come thunder hail or rain
Eyoops they are a blogging
They're out to get you now,
From Mallaig to Lochboisdale
They make a holy row.
The CyberNats are blogging
They're knocking at your door,
But Angus you keep going,
They're rattled to the core!
Rabbie Burns.
This little ditty can be sung to the well known tune "The Lovelorne Orkney Piper."
I am due to perform the full version at the Lodge Burns' Supper next week!!
Pip! Pip!
Er, don't give up the day job.
The Labour losers are blogging,
They've been at it all night long,
Their bile and venom moved me
To write this little song.
Oh the Iraqi killers are blogging
From Barra and Bayhead,
I think I'll stop my scanning
And have a dram instead!
Yes the 'loans for honours' are blogging, we've upset 'em once again
At postings they are lousy
come thunder hail or rain
Anon they are a blogging
They're out to get you now,
From Mallaig to Lochboisdale
They make a holy row.
The loan disclosers are blogging
They're knocking at your door,
But Angus you keep going,
They're rattled to the core!
I've never been in a poetry war before. It is quite flattering to be told by the two warring factions:-
But Angus you keep going,
They're rattled to the core!
(Takes cover at this point)
You sad and ugly haggis head,
You stole my rhyming scan;
Try to write your own instead
you apology for a man!
My writing skills are known to all
So stop scrobing with your pen,
Your heading for a fearsome fall
You pea brained squaking hen!
You are no match for me
you miserable whining Nat
I would teach you for a fee
with lessons from my cat.
So off with you and Mr. Angus,
And take a little trip,
Take the other ablach Allan
And sneering Kenny Flip.
Take them down to Barra
To explain their little scam,
They await there with bow and 'arra
To hang youse like a ham
When next you pen to paper put
Copy not my rhyme,
Do some thinking for yourself,
You ignorant little swine!
Superficial Burns.
PS Im thinking of joining the NUJ, I hear they are looking for fresh talent!
Boom! Boom!
To anon 7:25
As the SNP sympathiser you're having a go at I obviously don't agree your sentiments but the rhymes are really good so well done you! I appreciate you have a talent there.
Sunny Side Up,
You were asking what the MSP has done for the islands. As part of the Scottish Government, the recent budget included:
- Council Tax freezes
- an agreement with councils to give them greater freedom in their spending plans
- scrapping prescription charges in the lifetime of the parliament
- cut in small business rates
- additional funding for health improvement, including £85m on reducing the harm caused by alochol.
Would you be gracious enough to concede that these are all of benefit to the islands?
Sunny Side Up,
You may also be interested in the recent Sabhal Mor Ostaig lecture, at which Alec Salmond announced record funding levels for gaelic, which employs many islanders:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/This-Week/Speeches/First-Minister/sabmorsot07
The abolition of the graduate endowment fee directly helped those from the islands in further education.
I hope you're aware of the RET press release, which has already been discussed on this blog:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/08/13095245
And I'm sure you read that the Scottish Government has sought approval for the extention of the Air Discount Scheme.
Hopefully you will accept that, whilst you may not have voted for Mr Allan or the SNP, they are delivering for the islands.
Sunny Side Up,
You were asking what the MSP has done for the islands. As part of the Scottish Government, the recent budget included:
- Council Tax freezes
- an agreement with councils to give them greater freedom in their spending plans
- scrapping prescription charges in the lifetime of the parliament
- cut in small business rates
- additional funding for health improvement, including £85m on reducing the harm caused by alochol.
Would you be gracious enough to concede that these are all of benefit to the islands?
NO
I haven't had my council tax bill yet and I want receive at least the same level of service with no increase, I still pay for my prescriptions, my business rates bill is still the same, I wait with bated breath for when the bills come out in April and the dawn patrol are still out there with their carrier bags outside the Co-op / Spar shop before the pubs open.
I have yet to see any of these promises delivered, nor the benefit in my pocket.
Also, what has Alasdair Allan done to contribute to any of these policies apart from brown nosing the leader?
The SNP argue that the Western Isles is unique but nothing unique is being done to benefit the Islands. We are still paying the same amount for our travel whether it be in a car, on a ferry or on a plane. We were promised this would change for the better. 8 months in, nothing has changed.....
Try again
To sunny side up 9.00PM.
Just when the various anons were being kind, gracious and reasonable you come back with a big NO!
8 months is quite frankly no time at all. You've obviously forgotten the processes of government and besides, you guys have been in 12 years at Westminster and were in from 1999 to 2007 at Holyrood. You had all those years to really really change things and you didn't. You blew your chance and that's why you lost your MP first and then your MSP.
Nice answer, SSU 9:00pm. When asked, quite politely, to concede that the budget changes listed by anon 8:28 were of benefit to the islands, in dismissing him/her out of hand, you answered with the words "I" and "my" nine times in the first two sentences. Very telling.
Despite your utter negativity, the situation in this island is better than it was before last May. There was a palpable sense of relief and release when Labour were booted out (democratically, you understand).
Now let's just hope they get it right about the LWP windfactory.
anon one's poem was excellent
anon two's was appauling - labour louts would have been better than labour losers - you were letting your venom run away with you - didn't really get a chance to examine the third poem yet. I am not talking politically!
oh, and can i suggest LFH instead of loans for honours and war mongers instead of iraqi killers
I think Andrew Motion's found your blog, Angus :-)
I wonder which ones of the various (?) anons are the Point Labour Mafia members Donald J Smith and George K Macdonald?
anon:9.05AM
That's an easy one, can't you just tell?
I never hide under anonymous banner. I have also posted on here before asking people to be more open and not to hide under the Anon banner.
I don't think naming people on blogs is a good idea. People have a right to post anonymously and to stay anonymous, but it would be helpful if those posting under 'anon' would at least assume a regular username, like my own rather snappy one. Then we long-suffering readers could check the consistency of their arguments. Maybe some commenters would find this embarrassing??
yes, that just tells us all we need to know Eyoop - it is so much better than anon
[Sigh]
Being one of the few people who do not rely on this blog to find out what is happening in the political world I was unaware that I had been accused of making anonymous comments until someone told me. Unlike the the anonymous individual who who has accused me I always give my name. Apology please whoever you are
I have just been told that my comment at 9.42pm went out as anonymous. Apologies for that but I did try to put my name to it. I do not believe in making anonymous comments. Perhaps the person who has accused me will now have the courage to reveal his/her name.
Post a Comment