Island jet air service to be axed

The service follows a route between Stornoway (above) and Edinburgh

A six-day air service to the Western Isles is to be scrapped because not enough people are using it.

Bmi regional provides the only jet- engined aircraft on a route linking Stornoway with Edinburgh.

It said the service, launched less than four years ago, was not economically viable and would stop on 29 July.

Fewer than 17,000 people-a-year are believed to have been using the service, which is served by a 50-seat jet aircraft.

In a statement, bmi regional said: "Despite offering very low fares, insufficient passenger volumes combined with increasing fuel costs means that this route is no longer viable.

"We have arranged for any passengers that are booked after this cancellation date to have the choice of a refund or to be transferred to the new Loganair service."

Campaigners protested against the flights when they took off in October 2002 because they operated on Sundays.