Shortest flight duo forced off

A COUPLE were “bumped” off a plane after completing the world’s shortest scheduled flight – as it was too heavy to take off with them on board.

The tourists, who were from Edinburgh, had completed the 90-second hop from Papa Westray, Orkney, to Westray yesterday, but they volunteered to get off before it carried on its way to Kirkwall.

A lack of wind meant the tiny plane, which only had eight passengers on board, could not reach the required speed to take off with everybody on board. The pair were told they would be picked up an hour later.

Pilot Colin McAllister reportedly said it was the first time he’d had to ask passengers to get off the inter-island service, which is run by Loganair.

A Loganair spokesman said: “We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.”