To add to Flybe/Eastern/Loganair's troubles is the news that the Scottish government is introducing RET on the Northern Isles ferries.
I know the ferry isn't everyone's cup of tea, but the routes will be significantly cheaper from next year. That's Aberdeen to Kirkwall, Aberdeen to Lerwick, Kirkwall to Lerwick, Scrabster to Stromness and Gills Bay to St. Margarets Hope.