Argyll and Bute Council has released a tender for crucial island air services linking Oban to Coll, Colonsay and Tiree.

The move comes after the council developed a financially sustainable business plan for Argyll Air Services which anticipates the successful procurement of an airline to operate the authority's Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes from Oban Airport.

Councillor Robin Currie, spokesperson for Rural and Island Affairs, Housing and Gaelic, said “An extensive public consultation has been carried out to ensure that every effort is made to secure air services which can best meet the needs of its customers. Air services offer another lifeline transport link to these outlying islands”.

Argyll Air services offers scholars on the islands of Coll and Colonsay an alternative way to travel home at weekends. Through consultation with island communities it is clear that the air services offer the opportunity for social inclusion which is a key objective of council policy.

Spokesperson for Transport and Infrastructure, Councillor Duncan MacIntyre, welcomed the tender, saying: “Argyll Air Services from Oban significantly improves the links with our islands to the benefit of residents and visitors, and I very much hope the services will be well supported by both business and leisure users”.