Search for new operators to fly failed Highland Airways routes

EFFORTS continued yesterday to find new operators for flights grounded by the collapse of a Scottish airline last week.

Inverness-based Highland Airways went into administration after a proposed rescue bid fell through.

Loganair has taken over a service between Stornoway and Benbecula, subsidised by Western Isles Council.

Argyll and Bute Council, which subsidises routes from Oban to Coll and Colonsay, hopes to announce new operators this week.

Meanwhile, the administrators, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), is contacting hundreds of customers who booked flights with the collapsed airline.

It is believed about 800 flights, worth some 50 each, were booked in advance.

A spokeswoman for PWC said funds for flights booked in the past two months and not flown had been retained separately.