Loganair-3
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If Loganair were just retreating into being the "niche carrier for non discretionary travel" (and rich people) then that would be sad, but it also wouldn't actually be the worst thing. What's happening seems to be worse; an alarming progressive death of regional flying (from Scotland / in the UK / across Europe). In the past Glasgow had niche carriers for non-discretionary travel to places like Norwich, Cambridge, Leeds, East Midlands.
It feels like there is an inherent market failure. It's sensible for all but the very biggest airlines to operate only one size of aircraft; and it's sensible for that size to be 'not small'. Operators of small aircraft seem fated to live a life where they can only operate routes that are both successful but also cannot physically be operated by larger aircraft. If there is a whiff of a possibility that someone might be able to operate a larger aircraft on the route then the operator is doomed (whether they are Loganair at the hands of easyJet or Eastern at the hands of Loganair!) to be usurped by someone for whom the route is clearly not going to be a strategic priority.
It feels like there is an inherent market failure. It's sensible for all but the very biggest airlines to operate only one size of aircraft; and it's sensible for that size to be 'not small'. Operators of small aircraft seem fated to live a life where they can only operate routes that are both successful but also cannot physically be operated by larger aircraft. If there is a whiff of a possibility that someone might be able to operate a larger aircraft on the route then the operator is doomed (whether they are Loganair at the hands of easyJet or Eastern at the hands of Loganair!) to be usurped by someone for whom the route is clearly not going to be a strategic priority.
EZY are only twice a week now, and we'll see what they do next winter. If you have the time to drive to another airport and can travel when EZY want you to travel, that's fine.
My basic point is that anybody who thinks £100 is expensive to fly from the south of England to Scotland needs their lumps feeling
My basic point is that anybody who thinks £100 is expensive to fly from the south of England to Scotland needs their lumps feeling
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Darkest Brum
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EZY are only twice a week now, and we'll see what they do next winter. If you have the time to drive to another airport and can travel when EZY want you to travel, that's fine.
My basic point is that anybody who thinks £100 is expensive to fly from the south of England to Scotland needs their lumps feeling
My basic point is that anybody who thinks £100 is expensive to fly from the south of England to Scotland needs their lumps feeling
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Newcastle
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If Loganair were just retreating into being the "niche carrier for non discretionary travel" (and rich people) then that would be sad, but it also wouldn't actually be the worst thing. What's happening seems to be worse; an alarming progressive death of regional flying (from Scotland / in the UK / across Europe). In the past Glasgow had niche carriers for non-discretionary travel to places like Norwich, Cambridge, Leeds, East Midlands.
It feels like there is an inherent market failure. It's sensible for all but the very biggest airlines to operate only one size of aircraft; and it's sensible for that size to be 'not small'. Operators of small aircraft seem fated to live a life where they can only operate routes that are both successful but also cannot physically be operated by larger aircraft. If there is a whiff of a possibility that someone might be able to operate a larger aircraft on the route then the operator is doomed (whether they are Loganair at the hands of easyJet or Eastern at the hands of Loganair!) to be usurped by someone for whom the route is clearly not going to be a strategic priority.
It feels like there is an inherent market failure. It's sensible for all but the very biggest airlines to operate only one size of aircraft; and it's sensible for that size to be 'not small'. Operators of small aircraft seem fated to live a life where they can only operate routes that are both successful but also cannot physically be operated by larger aircraft. If there is a whiff of a possibility that someone might be able to operate a larger aircraft on the route then the operator is doomed (whether they are Loganair at the hands of easyJet or Eastern at the hands of Loganair!) to be usurped by someone for whom the route is clearly not going to be a strategic priority.
There's no big opportunity. No one even makes western commercial turboprops anymore other than the ATR in small numbers. Loganair were realistic and rolled over 40 year old Saabs for 20 year old ATRs, new builds would have killed them.
The days of people flying Air UK F27s up the East Coast full of businessmen or oil men in a pre-Zoom world. Scotland-MAN/BHX served to feed hubs for BA, LC (now LM) and II (Business Air, who fed Lufthansa). Almost all of that feed now goes direct, and there's no business case for point to point GLA-MAN/LBA/CWL/LPL or EDI-NWI or HUY. No more Fokkers, Sheds or Budgies, it's the ATR or a loco jet, because the prices on the old school props are markedly higher than a market that flies to Spain for less will bear. This is mainly due to the economies of scale of a large jet, not the greed of smaller operators.
Meetings are mainly online, trains are much better and even the road network is better in parts! Time to move on, unless some new technology changes the game.
The days of people flying Air UK F27s up the East Coast full of businessmen or oil men in a pre-Zoom world. Scotland-MAN/BHX served to feed hubs for BA, LC (now LM) and II (Business Air, who fed Lufthansa). Almost all of that feed now goes direct, and there's no business case for point to point GLA-MAN/LBA/CWL/LPL or EDI-NWI or HUY. No more Fokkers, Sheds or Budgies, it's the ATR or a loco jet, because the prices on the old school props are markedly higher than a market that flies to Spain for less will bear. This is mainly due to the economies of scale of a large jet, not the greed of smaller operators.
Meetings are mainly online, trains are much better and even the road network is better in parts! Time to move on, unless some new technology changes the game.
There's no big opportunity. No one even makes western commercial turboprops anymore other than the ATR in small numbers. Loganair were realistic and rolled over 40 year old Saabs for 20 year old ATRs, new builds would have killed them.
The days of people flying Air UK F27s up the East Coast full of businessmen or oil men in a pre-Zoom world. Scotland-MAN/BHX served to feed hubs for BA, LC (now LM) and II (Business Air, who fed Lufthansa). Almost all of that feed now goes direct, and there's no business case for point to point GLA-MAN/LBA/CWL/LPL or EDI-NWI or HUY. No more Fokkers, Sheds or Budgies, it's the ATR or a loco jet, because the prices on the old school props are markedly higher than a market that flies to Spain for less will bear. This is mainly due to the economies of scale of a large jet, not the greed of smaller operators.
Meetings are mainly online, trains are much better and even the road network is better in parts! Time to move on, unless some new technology changes the game.
The days of people flying Air UK F27s up the East Coast full of businessmen or oil men in a pre-Zoom world. Scotland-MAN/BHX served to feed hubs for BA, LC (now LM) and II (Business Air, who fed Lufthansa). Almost all of that feed now goes direct, and there's no business case for point to point GLA-MAN/LBA/CWL/LPL or EDI-NWI or HUY. No more Fokkers, Sheds or Budgies, it's the ATR or a loco jet, because the prices on the old school props are markedly higher than a market that flies to Spain for less will bear. This is mainly due to the economies of scale of a large jet, not the greed of smaller operators.
Meetings are mainly online, trains are much better and even the road network is better in parts! Time to move on, unless some new technology changes the game.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: London, UK
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Full aeroplane from SOU to NCL tonight. Packed most nights. Perfect route for an ERJ. Spares are the issue like every other regional. Way bigger ERJ operators in USA with big dollars. But you are right. Bar the hateful ATRs, no western regional newbuilds. Eastern fixes its own J41s. Dicky must have shares in BAES.
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: South
Age: 44
Posts: 773
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just seen the articles about their latest review of operations and retrenching to focus on the northern isles. This seems absolutely crazy to me. The fact those routes are subsidised says it all, they do not have demand for an air service. Given the current climate debate you would also have to say such routes are on shaky ground, or certainly should be! To give up routes like SOU-GLA and ABZ-NCL which see many thousands of annual passengers to keep serving the likes of Barra, Benbecula etc is nothing short of suicidal. I think with this decision we are seeing the start of the demise of this airline. No sane person sits in a boardroom and goes, yeah let’s stop serving cities with populations of 270k and 298k with metros in the millions but still serve little barren islands with populations of 1,000 odd people. Let’s not forget that PSOs can be taken away and given to another airline even a new paper airline. Look at what happened with Stobart when Emerald appeared out of thin air. Can anyone see sense in the new guy’s decisions?
Also makes the decision to keep and invest millions refurbishing the 145s even more foolish now. They might have a thread of sense serving long routes quickly but island hopping?
I won’t pretend to be familiar with the Scottish highland routes but from afar it seems bat**** crazy for islands with a few thousands inhabitants having a daily air service. Surely ferries will more than suffice for travel and movement of products, post etc? Firstly, how can they afford to travel so frequently on a plane considering how expensive a mode of transport it is and presumably not an abundance of job prospects somewhere so remote? More to the point, surely when you grow up somewhere so remote or make the decision to move somewhere like that it’s because you want a quiet life and to predominantly stay local to your home. Happy to be corrected but I find the amount of routes served and at the tax payers’ expense crazy!
Also makes the decision to keep and invest millions refurbishing the 145s even more foolish now. They might have a thread of sense serving long routes quickly but island hopping?
I won’t pretend to be familiar with the Scottish highland routes but from afar it seems bat**** crazy for islands with a few thousands inhabitants having a daily air service. Surely ferries will more than suffice for travel and movement of products, post etc? Firstly, how can they afford to travel so frequently on a plane considering how expensive a mode of transport it is and presumably not an abundance of job prospects somewhere so remote? More to the point, surely when you grow up somewhere so remote or make the decision to move somewhere like that it’s because you want a quiet life and to predominantly stay local to your home. Happy to be corrected but I find the amount of routes served and at the tax payers’ expense crazy!
RJ,
If you know anything about the CalMac ferry operation to watchword is "unreliable", not just because of their vintage fleet, but also the sea conditions. The air links are vital for the Scottish islands and to slash subsidies would be political suicide.
That being the case being paid to operate Highlands and Islands routes is surely preferable to trying to make money head to head with Easyjet.
Once they have the operational issues sorted then returning to some cancelled and reduced routes could follow.
If you know anything about the CalMac ferry operation to watchword is "unreliable", not just because of their vintage fleet, but also the sea conditions. The air links are vital for the Scottish islands and to slash subsidies would be political suicide.
That being the case being paid to operate Highlands and Islands routes is surely preferable to trying to make money head to head with Easyjet.
Once they have the operational issues sorted then returning to some cancelled and reduced routes could follow.
Just seen the articles about their latest review of operations and retrenching to focus on the northern isles. This seems absolutely crazy to me. The fact those routes are subsidised says it all, they do not have demand for an air service. Given the current climate debate you would also have to say such routes are on shaky ground, or certainly should be! To give up routes like SOU-GLA and ABZ-NCL which see many thousands of annual passengers to keep serving the likes of Barra, Benbecula etc is nothing short of suicidal. I think with this decision we are seeing the start of the demise of this airline. No sane person sits in a boardroom and goes, yeah let’s stop serving cities with populations of 270k and 298k with metros in the millions but still serve little barren islands with populations of 1,000 odd people. Let’s not forget that PSOs can be taken away and given to another airline even a new paper airline. Look at what happened with Stobart when Emerald appeared out of thin air. Can anyone see sense in the new guy’s decisions?
Also makes the decision to keep and invest millions refurbishing the 145s even more foolish now. They might have a thread of sense serving long routes quickly but island hopping?
I won’t pretend to be familiar with the Scottish highland routes but from afar it seems bat**** crazy for islands with a few thousands inhabitants having a daily air service. Surely ferries will more than suffice for travel and movement of products, post etc? Firstly, how can they afford to travel so frequently on a plane considering how expensive a mode of transport it is and presumably not an abundance of job prospects somewhere so remote? More to the point, surely when you grow up somewhere so remote or make the decision to move somewhere like that it’s because you want a quiet life and to predominantly stay local to your home. Happy to be corrected but I find the amount of routes served and at the tax payers’ expense crazy!
Also makes the decision to keep and invest millions refurbishing the 145s even more foolish now. They might have a thread of sense serving long routes quickly but island hopping?
I won’t pretend to be familiar with the Scottish highland routes but from afar it seems bat**** crazy for islands with a few thousands inhabitants having a daily air service. Surely ferries will more than suffice for travel and movement of products, post etc? Firstly, how can they afford to travel so frequently on a plane considering how expensive a mode of transport it is and presumably not an abundance of job prospects somewhere so remote? More to the point, surely when you grow up somewhere so remote or make the decision to move somewhere like that it’s because you want a quiet life and to predominantly stay local to your home. Happy to be corrected but I find the amount of routes served and at the tax payers’ expense crazy!
As far as I am aware, this is the full statement:
Statement from Loganair CEO
Statement from Loganair CEO
Mr Farajallah said: “Since my first day as CEO of Loganair last month, I have been listening carefully to feedback from our loyal customers and hard-working crew, and I want to personally apologise to everyone who has been impacted by the unacceptable levels of disruption that have been experienced for over 18-months whilst the airline has been undertaking a re-fleeting programme.
“We appreciate the changes we are announcing today may impact some customers whose bookings may need to change. While we apologise to customers affected, this decision is one that has been made for the greater good of the vast majority of customers who must be able to book and fly with confidence, especially from some of the most remote parts of the UK.
“Loganair is the UK’s largest regional airline, and we are getting back to the basic principles that have made us successful for over six decades. We are relentlessly focused on confidently serving our core markets and core customers, who must be able to book with certainty, and experience a stable and resilient flying programme.
"This is especially true for the Highlands and Islands communities who rely on Loganair for being so much more than an airline serving a leisure market. We have been falling short of the service levels expected of us by our loyal customers and amazing crew for over 18 months, and today we are making changes that once fully delivered throughout the summer will help restore the image and reputation we have fought so hard to generate over so many years as the trusted airline partner in our unique market.
“Our entire team and board of Directors is behind us in making these decisions, and we are all excited about the prospect of getting back to our core set of principles in our heartlands – and we intend to defend and grow our presence in these markets through the demonstration that we can and will deliver consistent operational stability and excellence”.
“We appreciate the changes we are announcing today may impact some customers whose bookings may need to change. While we apologise to customers affected, this decision is one that has been made for the greater good of the vast majority of customers who must be able to book and fly with confidence, especially from some of the most remote parts of the UK.
“Loganair is the UK’s largest regional airline, and we are getting back to the basic principles that have made us successful for over six decades. We are relentlessly focused on confidently serving our core markets and core customers, who must be able to book with certainty, and experience a stable and resilient flying programme.
"This is especially true for the Highlands and Islands communities who rely on Loganair for being so much more than an airline serving a leisure market. We have been falling short of the service levels expected of us by our loyal customers and amazing crew for over 18 months, and today we are making changes that once fully delivered throughout the summer will help restore the image and reputation we have fought so hard to generate over so many years as the trusted airline partner in our unique market.
“Our entire team and board of Directors is behind us in making these decisions, and we are all excited about the prospect of getting back to our core set of principles in our heartlands – and we intend to defend and grow our presence in these markets through the demonstration that we can and will deliver consistent operational stability and excellence”.
Last edited by SWBKCB; 28th Apr 2024 at 13:21.
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just seen the articles about their latest review of operations and retrenching to focus on the northern isles. This seems absolutely crazy to me. The fact those routes are subsidised says it all, they do not have demand for an air service. Given the current climate debate you would also have to say such routes are on shaky ground, or certainly should be! To give up routes like SOU-GLA and ABZ-NCL which see many thousands of annual passengers to keep serving the likes of Barra, Benbecula etc is nothing short of suicidal. I think with this decision we are seeing the start of the demise of this airline. No sane person sits in a boardroom and goes, yeah let’s stop serving cities with populations of 270k and 298k with metros in the millions but still serve little barren islands with populations of 1,000 odd people. Let’s not forget that PSOs can be taken away and given to another airline even a new paper airline. Look at what happened with Stobart when Emerald appeared out of thin air. Can anyone see sense in the new guy’s decisions?
Also makes the decision to keep and invest millions refurbishing the 145s even more foolish now. They might have a thread of sense serving long routes quickly but island hopping?
I won’t pretend to be familiar with the Scottish highland routes but from afar it seems bat**** crazy for islands with a few thousands inhabitants having a daily air service. Surely ferries will more than suffice for travel and movement of products, post etc? Firstly, how can they afford to travel so frequently on a plane considering how expensive a mode of transport it is and presumably not an abundance of job prospects somewhere so remote? More to the point, surely when you grow up somewhere so remote or make the decision to move somewhere like that it’s because you want a quiet life and to predominantly stay local to your home. Happy to be corrected but I find the amount of routes served and at the tax payers’ expense crazy!
Also makes the decision to keep and invest millions refurbishing the 145s even more foolish now. They might have a thread of sense serving long routes quickly but island hopping?
I won’t pretend to be familiar with the Scottish highland routes but from afar it seems bat**** crazy for islands with a few thousands inhabitants having a daily air service. Surely ferries will more than suffice for travel and movement of products, post etc? Firstly, how can they afford to travel so frequently on a plane considering how expensive a mode of transport it is and presumably not an abundance of job prospects somewhere so remote? More to the point, surely when you grow up somewhere so remote or make the decision to move somewhere like that it’s because you want a quiet life and to predominantly stay local to your home. Happy to be corrected but I find the amount of routes served and at the tax payers’ expense crazy!
For you information not all LM's services are government backed or funded, and you clearly have no comprehension of the geopolitical issues north of the Watford gap or your own head.
Ever thought LM are aware of EasyJet's plans and are getting out before they incur any further losses, the new guy at LM isn't exactly wet behind the ears in regional aviation.
Those pesky ERJ's are still making money for their owners despite the vintage status, what would you suggest LM replace them with given the availability on the market?
Engage the brain before making a fool of yourself online, clearly the economics of running an airline are out with your grasp thankfully.
Just seen the articles about their latest review of operations and retrenching to focus on the northern isles. This seems absolutely crazy to me. The fact those routes are subsidised says it all, they do not have demand for an air service. Given the current climate debate you would also have to say such routes are on shaky ground, or certainly should be! To give up routes like SOU-GLA and ABZ-NCL which see many thousands of annual passengers to keep serving the likes of Barra, Benbecula etc is nothing short of suicidal. I think with this decision we are seeing the start of the demise of this airline. No sane person sits in a boardroom and goes, yeah let’s stop serving cities with populations of 270k and 298k with metros in the millions but still serve little barren islands with populations of 1,000 odd people. Let’s not forget that PSOs can be taken away and given to another airline even a new paper airline. Look at what happened with Stobart when Emerald appeared out of thin air. Can anyone see sense in the new guy’s decisions?
Also makes the decision to keep and invest millions refurbishing the 145s even more foolish now. They might have a thread of sense serving long routes quickly but island hopping?
I won’t pretend to be familiar with the Scottish highland routes but from afar it seems bat**** crazy for islands with a few thousands inhabitants having a daily air service. Surely ferries will more than suffice for travel and movement of products, post etc? Firstly, how can they afford to travel so frequently on a plane considering how expensive a mode of transport it is and presumably not an abundance of job prospects somewhere so remote? More to the point, surely when you grow up somewhere so remote or make the decision to move somewhere like that it’s because you want a quiet life and to predominantly stay local to your home. Happy to be corrected but I find the amount of routes served and at the tax payers’ expense crazy!
Also makes the decision to keep and invest millions refurbishing the 145s even more foolish now. They might have a thread of sense serving long routes quickly but island hopping?
I won’t pretend to be familiar with the Scottish highland routes but from afar it seems bat**** crazy for islands with a few thousands inhabitants having a daily air service. Surely ferries will more than suffice for travel and movement of products, post etc? Firstly, how can they afford to travel so frequently on a plane considering how expensive a mode of transport it is and presumably not an abundance of job prospects somewhere so remote? More to the point, surely when you grow up somewhere so remote or make the decision to move somewhere like that it’s because you want a quiet life and to predominantly stay local to your home. Happy to be corrected but I find the amount of routes served and at the tax payers’ expense crazy!
A large number of pax are paid for by the NHS to receive hospital care that is not available on the islands. How would you propose to deliver vital service as someone else has pointed out the ferry's are very unreliable.
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Scotland
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just seen the articles about their latest review of operations and retrenching to focus on the northern isles. This seems absolutely crazy to me. The fact those routes are subsidised says it all, they do not have demand for an air service. Given the current climate debate you would also have to say such routes are on shaky ground, or certainly should be! To give up routes like SOU-GLA and ABZ-NCL which see many thousands of annual passengers to keep serving the likes of Barra, Benbecula etc is nothing short of suicidal. I think with this decision we are seeing the start of the demise of this airline. No sane person sits in a boardroom and goes, yeah let’s stop serving cities with populations of 270k and 298k with metros in the millions but still serve little barren islands with populations of 1,000 odd people. Let’s not forget that PSOs can be taken away and given to another airline even a new paper airline. Look at what happened with Stobart when Emerald appeared out of thin air. Can anyone see sense in the new guy’s decisions?
Also makes the decision to keep and invest millions refurbishing the 145s even more foolish now. They might have a thread of sense serving long routes quickly but island hopping?
I won’t pretend to be familiar with the Scottish highland routes but from afar it seems bat**** crazy for islands with a few thousands inhabitants having a daily air service. Surely ferries will more than suffice for travel and movement of products, post etc? Firstly, how can they afford to travel so frequently on a plane considering how expensive a mode of transport it is and presumably not an abundance of job prospects somewhere so remote? More to the point, surely when you grow up somewhere so remote or make the decision to move somewhere like that it’s because you want a quiet life and to predominantly stay local to your home. Happy to be corrected but I find the amount of routes served and at the tax payers’ expense crazy!
Also makes the decision to keep and invest millions refurbishing the 145s even more foolish now. They might have a thread of sense serving long routes quickly but island hopping?
I won’t pretend to be familiar with the Scottish highland routes but from afar it seems bat**** crazy for islands with a few thousands inhabitants having a daily air service. Surely ferries will more than suffice for travel and movement of products, post etc? Firstly, how can they afford to travel so frequently on a plane considering how expensive a mode of transport it is and presumably not an abundance of job prospects somewhere so remote? More to the point, surely when you grow up somewhere so remote or make the decision to move somewhere like that it’s because you want a quiet life and to predominantly stay local to your home. Happy to be corrected but I find the amount of routes served and at the tax payers’ expense crazy!
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Newcastle
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just seen the articles about their latest review of operations and retrenching to focus on the northern isles. This seems absolutely crazy to me. The fact those routes are subsidised says it all, they do not have demand for an air service. Given the current climate debate you would also have to say such routes are on shaky ground, or certainly should be! To give up routes like SOU-GLA and ABZ-NCL which see many thousands of annual passengers to keep serving the likes of Barra, Benbecula etc is nothing short of suicidal. I think with this decision we are seeing the start of the demise of this airline. No sane person sits in a boardroom and goes, yeah let’s stop serving cities with populations of 270k and 298k with metros in the millions but still serve little barren islands with populations of 1,000 odd people. Let’s not forget that PSOs can be taken away and given to another airline even a new paper airline. Look at what happened with Stobart when Emerald appeared out of thin air. Can anyone see sense in the new guy’s decisions?
Also makes the decision to keep and invest millions refurbishing the 145s even more foolish now. They might have a thread of sense serving long routes quickly but island hopping?
I won’t pretend to be familiar with the Scottish highland routes but from afar it seems bat**** crazy for islands with a few thousands inhabitants having a daily air service. Surely ferries will more than suffice for travel and movement of products, post etc? Firstly, how can they afford to travel so frequently on a plane considering how expensive a mode of transport it is and presumably not an abundance of job prospects somewhere so remote? More to the point, surely when you grow up somewhere so remote or make the decision to move somewhere like that it’s because you want a quiet life and to predominantly stay local to your home. Happy to be corrected but I find the amount of routes served and at the tax payers’ expense crazy!
Also makes the decision to keep and invest millions refurbishing the 145s even more foolish now. They might have a thread of sense serving long routes quickly but island hopping?
I won’t pretend to be familiar with the Scottish highland routes but from afar it seems bat**** crazy for islands with a few thousands inhabitants having a daily air service. Surely ferries will more than suffice for travel and movement of products, post etc? Firstly, how can they afford to travel so frequently on a plane considering how expensive a mode of transport it is and presumably not an abundance of job prospects somewhere so remote? More to the point, surely when you grow up somewhere so remote or make the decision to move somewhere like that it’s because you want a quiet life and to predominantly stay local to your home. Happy to be corrected but I find the amount of routes served and at the tax payers’ expense crazy!
There are some nuggets of truth in there but some misunderstandings as well. Just two weeks ago I flew Edinburgh - Kirkwall and back, as I do every year or so for holidays, and the ATR was full both ways, so it is certainly not the case that 'they do not have demand for an air service'. And as to the question of how 'they' can afford to fly, there is the Air Discount Scheme (link attached) and also the fact that Orkney at least (I'm not massively familiar with the other island groups) is actually one of the most prosperous parts of the UK, as well as a popular tourist destination.
I could go on but others have corrected you a bit more stridently than I have
https://www.airdiscountscheme.com/