Aberdeen Lib-Dem No Fly Zone

Liberal Democrats in the North-east have been asked for answers after their London mayoral candidate said he wanted to cut short haul flights to Scotland.

Campaigners, including business representatives and politicians have been calling for landing slots form Heathrow to Aberdeen to be preserved to boost the North-east economy.

But Brian Paddick, who is running for London Mayor, said in an interview he wanted short haul flights to be scrapped in favour of more long haul flights.

SNP Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart said he had written to senior Lib Dems in the North-east asking them to clarify their position.

North-east Lib Dem MSP Alison McInnes said there had been no let up in her party's support.
She said: “We would all like to see less reliance on short haul flights, but the reality is that suitable high speed rail alternatives are not on the horizon for Aberdeen. It is for that reason that local Liberal Democrats have consistently backed calls to give special protection to landing slots at Heathrow for flights from Aberdeen and Inverness and we will continue to do so.”

Mr Stewart¸ who is standing down as a councillor on the SNP/Lib Dem coalition led Aberdeen City Council at the May elections, said: “This is a deeply damaging proposal which I hope will be strongly argued against from all sides.All representatives in the North East need to be pulling in the same direction to promote business and investment. Proposals such as this could be devastating to the local economy."