Move to end scheduled flights at all Highlands and Islands Airports during Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak welcomed by Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone

CLOSING Highland airports to all but medical emergency flights has been welcomed by a Ross MP.

Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone praised the move by Highlands and Islands Airports (Hial) as "responsible action".

But he added that he will be seeking assurances over the types of medical cases that the emergency flights will cover.

"This is a responsible action to take," he said. "I support HIAL's decision. It underlines how serious the situation is and the fact that Highlands' airports will still be available for serious medical cases is very good.

"I shall be seeking assurance that these emergency flights will cover maternity services in the Far North."

The closure of all Highlands and Islands airports to scheduled flights and routine aviation traffic will take effect from Sunday.

Hial said services which will be maintained will include NHS passenger transfer, the Royal Mail and the oil and gas industry.

The moves are part of wider efforts to curtail the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.

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