Low passenger numbers have grounded flights between Oban and Islay.
Hebridean Air Services has stopped all flights to the Inner Hebridean island because it is no longer commercially viable, it says.
Argyll and Bute Council said it was “sorry” to hear about the change but the route was not part of the Public Service Obligation contract it has with the airline.
Because it not included in the contract – it was not subsidised.
The airline is still operating scheduled flights to Coll, Tiree and Colonsay.
Martin McWilliam from Hebridean Air Services said stopping the Islay flights was a difficult decision to make and while it was an “unwelcome development” for anyone wanting to use the service – it was still the right decision to make for the business.
He said: “The services provided under the PSO contract to Argyll and Bute Council do not include the Oban to Islay route. The route was introduced in around 2009 integrating into the services offered by Hebridean Air Services at that time.
“The option for this routing has endured however on a strictly commercial basis, it is not a subsidised route.
“Unfortunately the passenger demand/usage has historically been relatively low and, since the Covid demand has dropped further.
“Unfortunately therefore the difficult decision was taken to cease offering the service as it is no longer commercially viable to continue.
“While this is an unwelcome development for anyone wishing to use the service we feel that it is the right decision for the business and ultimately protecting the PSO also.”
A spokesperson for Argyll and Bute Council said it was a decision for Hebridean Air Services, based on customer demand and added: “We understand the importance of transport links for our island communities, and we are sorry to hear of this change.”
Argyll and Bute Council is a member of a new island transport task group being set up to help address island issues, including connectivity to and from the mainland.
Council leader Robin Currie and Argyll and Bute chief executive Pippa Milne were at the third UK Islands Forum earlier this month, from where the new task group stemmed.
A council spokesperson said: “As a member of the new island transport task group, we will continue to seek resources from UK and Scottish Governments, to help address island issues including connectivity to and from the mainland.”
With the UK Islands Forum taking place so soon after the weekend of severe weather which affected Argyll and Bute, it was a top priority to present the impact on the region’s infrastructure, the importance of robust and reliable ferry connections, and the significance of securing as swiftly as possible the permanent solution for the Rest and Be Thankful, continued the spokesperson.
The circumstances that Argyll and Bute has been coping with, and the direct/indirect impact on island communities as a result, are directly related to this Forum’s agenda key theme of connectivity.
Argyll and Bute says it is keen to host a future UK Islands Forum session so that ministers can “see first-hand our unique remote, rural and island geographic environment.”