Kirkwall Airport in Orkney suspended air traffic control operations on 28 October due to unexpected staffing shortages, forcing the cancellation of multiple flights operated by Loganair. The Edinburgh–Kirkwall return service and the Aberdeen–Kirkwall flight on Wednesday were cancelled, along with Thursday morning's Kirkwall–Aberdeen service. According to BBC News, Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (Hial), which operates the facility, stated that the timing of the closure made it impossible to coordinate with the published flight schedule.
The air traffic control facility closed at 18:00 on Wednesday, 28 October, leaving passengers stranded and forcing the airline to arrange alternative arrangements. Loganair provided welfare support and overnight accommodation for those affected on Wednesday and scheduled an additional Edinburgh–Kirkwall return service to depart Edinburgh at 15:30 on Thursday, 29 October, to help accommodate displaced passengers.
A Hial spokesperson explained the operational constraints:
"Wherever possible, we try to plan such closures around our flight schedule but regrettably this has not been possible on this occasion, and a limited number of flights are affected. Passengers should contact their airline directly for the latest information on their flight. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause."
Loganair issued its own statement acknowledging the disruption:
"We apologise for the inconvenience caused, which is outwith Loganair's control, and thank our customers for their patience and understanding while we work to get them to their destinations."The airline confirmed that its services were directly affected by the closure of air traffic control at Kirkwall.
Why are staffing issues affecting Scottish airports?
Staffing shortages at air traffic control facilities have become an recurring problem across Scotland's regional airports. Similar disruptions affected Inverness Airport in May 2026, when Hial reported that staffing issues required air traffic service closures over the following weeks, with some flights potentially affected. The Inverness situation was linked to legal limits on how long air traffic controllers could work without a break, according to the Inverness Courier.
The Kirkwall closure was not an isolated incident. A notice issued on 23 October had already recorded Kirkwall's air traffic control and airport closure due to staff shortages, with the Kirkwall Air Traffic Zone deactivated during that earlier period. The pattern suggests systemic challenges in maintaining adequate staffing levels at Scotland's smaller airports.
What happens next for affected passengers?
Loganair said it would contact affected customers directly with available options, including earlier flights where possible. The additional Edinburgh–Kirkwall return service scheduled to depart Edinburgh at 15:30 on Thursday, 29 October, represents the airline's immediate response to accommodate those displaced by the Wednesday closures. Passengers were advised to contact Loganair directly for the latest information on their specific flights and rebooking options.
The disruptions highlight ongoing challenges for regional air connectivity in Scotland, particularly as Loganair continues to manage its route network across the Highlands and Islands.
