Scotland has got 29 airports….open to the civil traffic. My God, not only Aberden, Dundee, Glasgow-Abbotsich, Edinburgh-Turnhouse, Glasglow-Prestwick, Inverneess-Dalcross….and dozens of small islands with airport. I wonder if any of you have travelled up to the Orkney, Shetlands of Western Islands. How is aviation in places where only a bunch of civilians live?. I suppose there´s a lot Islanders, Trislander and Twin Otter, landing in fields, beaches and small places. It sounds very pioneering to me. Specially taking account the sever weather conditions of these places. And there´s a 2 minutes flight from Westrey-Papa Westrey…..really exciting.
By: Ren Frew - 4th January 2003 at 18:43
RE: Scottish regional airports
I heard about that too, there was a feature on Radio Scotland about it recently. They reckon if they can get enough takers, then direct flights from Stornoway to the sun could be an option. Hebrideans, like the rest of us in the UK don’t get a lot of sunshine and some clever market analysist reckons the islands could support the odd summer charter to sunnier climes.
As long as it’s not on a sunday, it’ll be fine (lol)
By: carl727 - 4th January 2003 at 14:49
RE: Scottish regional airports
I have read that this year for the first time a charter will operate from Stornaway to Faro. i think Transun Holidays are running it.
By: keltic - 1st January 2003 at 12:44
RE: Scottish regional airports
>>
>I must remember to look out the name of that book about
>Scottish aviation for you Keltic, It was by Dugald Cameron a
>respected aviation author and artist round this here parish.
>Loads of great stories, anecdotes and pictures.
Thanks a lot.
By: Saab 2000 - 1st January 2003 at 10:56
RE: Scottish regional airports
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-01-03 AT 10:56 AM (GMT)]Just some other flights I know about to the Scottish Isles:
Bmi fly the ERJ 145 from Edinburgh to Stornoway.
IAC (Integrated Aviation Consortium) use a BAe 146 from Flightline to provide support flights to Sumburgh for oil work.Anybody have details on that?
http://www.smiliner.com/operators/pics/g_flightline_gtbic.jpg
Highland Airways operate the J31 and the Cessna F406 for passenger and cargo flights to the Isles.
By: Ren Frew - 31st December 2002 at 21:30
RE: Scottish regional airports
Most of these airports are nothing more than basic strips in fields, or on beaches such as on Barra in the Outer Hebrides. Stornoway in the north of these islands has the largest “airport” and this is more like a modern airport, with a runway, terminal and check in facilities etc. Dundee, despite being a relatively large city, has only a tiny airport which can’t handle anything a lot bigger than a business or regional jet.
A lot of these airports mainly cater for light civil aviation and flying clubs, such is the case with Cumbernauld for example. I’ve been round a few of these airfields in my travels… Stornoway for example can count the Bae ATP as it largest regular customer, Barra is normally by Twin Otter and Shorts 360. Most of the regional flights are handled by Loganair in BA franchise colours.
They used to have a great and varied fleet when they were truly independent, a fleet which included Islanders, Trislanders, Twin Otters, Embraer Bandeirantes, Shorts 330/360,s Bae ATP’s and Fokker Friendships. They even hit the jet age briefly with the Bae 146 before being brought under British Midland’s regional group umbrella and subsequently BA regional. I believe they are now more or less independent again, albeit a franchisee of BA. The current fleet consists mainly of Saab’s, Otters, 360’s and ATP’s they still operate the Scottish Air Ambulance service utilising the Islander.
There is a young chap in the Western Isles somewhere I believe, called Logan Ayres because he was born aboard an air ambulance Islander en route to Glasgow some stormy night many moons ago!
I must remember to look out the name of that book about Scottish aviation for you Keltic, It was by Dugald Cameron a respected aviation author and artist round this here parish. Loads of great stories, anecdotes and pictures.
By: andrewm - 31st December 2002 at 20:04
RE: Scottish regional airports
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 31-12-02 AT 08:06 PM (GMT)]The 2minute flight is the worlds shortest flight and is usually completed in 1 minute or less. If you travel on it you get a certificate saying so!
It is £28 return it seems for 1 minute of flying. EasyJet offer alot more for alot less but i would pay for just the experience!
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December 31, 2002 at 5:43 pm
