The Value of the Air Bridge to the Islands

Abstract

The viability of Scotland's remote island communities remains threatened by long-term out-migration and associated demographic imbalances. This problem persists because the socio-economic position of some communities does not necessarily offer the opportunities and hence quality of life people seek. EU, public sector and community action remains focussed onaddressing these issues. Integral to that effort is the contribution of air transport to the accessibility of opportunities. However, some nominally ‘lifeline’ air services rely on public subsidy and therefore, with pressure to cut public sector expenditure, a question for debate remains: should the air bridge to the islands continue, if so why and in what form? This paper contributes to the debate, using findings from an exploratory case study of lifeline air services for Barra and Vatersay in Scotland's Outer Hebrides. Employing data from both a self-completion postal questionnaire and interviews with members of the islands' communities the study found the air service to be integral to the islands' identity, perceived as important to the quality of island lifebut subject to political, operational and economic challenges and threats. The paper proposes research exploring the holistic value of the service and the feasibility of innovations to mitigate those challenges and threats.

Key Words:

• accessibility
• air service
• community sustainability
• island
• Outer Hebrides

Notes

¹ Comhairle nan Eilean Siar – the Outer Hebrides' local authority.

² Defined by Berger-Schmitt (2002) as the scale and strength of connections and relations within and between societal units.

³ A concept – comprising both objective and subjective components – expressing the degree to which human needs and values are being fulfilled in various life domains (de Groot and Steg, 2006).

⁴ A colloquial term, commonly used by individuals who consider themselves indigenous to a community to describe other individuals who they consider are not indigenous to that community.

⁵ Kenyon et al., 2002 identify this as one of a number of factors that act to separate individuals fromopportunities. Others include physical capability, social conventions, time and financial constraints.

⁶ Provided via the European Structural Convergence Programmes, namely the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF).

⁷ Gaelic, pronounced ‘try vohr’, literally ‘big beach’.

⁸ Maximum Lapsed Destination Time.

⁹ One in three entries in the islands' electoral register were selected to create this sample.

¹⁰ Classified for anonymity as: Education Professional, Hospitality Business Owner, Long-term Resident, Lifestyle Incomer, Community Representative.

¹¹ National Health Service

¹² The Scottish Government's Air Discount Scheme or ADS

¹³ The survey defined the term ‘departure’ as one instance of travelling to a final destination, by either air or sea, for a specific purpose.

¹⁴ Assuming no missed departures or cancellations and optimal check-in and waiting times.

¹⁵ Return ferry fares and estimated fuel costs at 14.8p/mile for a 270 mile round-trip.

¹⁶ Return airfare and £15.00 allowance for ground transportation costs.

¹⁷ Return ferry fares and estimated fuel costs at 14.8p/mile for a 196 mile round-trip

¹⁸ Return airfare and £15 allowance for ground transportation costs.

¹⁹ The opportunities listed were: Education and Library Services, Medical and Hospital Services, High Street Shops and Services, Sporting and Leisure Activities, Holidays, Visits to/from Friends and Relatives, Work and Business Opportunities.

²⁰ By ranking the three biggest impacts from 8 specified options: ‘Keeps our population stable’; ‘Damages our environment’; ‘Brings too many people here’; ‘Makes us feel less isolated’; ‘Destroys our way of life’; ‘Builds community spirit’; ‘Is part of our identity’; ‘Benefits our economy’.

²¹ Future Seaplane Traffic – a European Union FP7 supported research project.