Barra ferry's woes a boost to Loganair

Loganair said the peak summer season had been exceptionally busy

Problems with a ferry has helped Scottish airline Loganair record July as its busiest month on its Glasgow to Barra service.

Engine failures had disrupted sailings between Oban and Barra.

Loganair also said the number of passengers travelling between Stornoway on Lewis and Benbecula increased by 51% compared to last July.

The islands route was previously flown by Highland Airways which collapsed earlier this year.

Ferry MV Clansman was out of action for almost a month because of problems with an engine.

Following repairs, it was returned to the Oban to Barra ferry route before a further failure again took it out of service temporarily.

The ferry was able to sail again after fresh repairs.

Loganair said 1,209 passengers used the Glasgow to Barra air service during July, an increase of 10% on the same month in 2009.

The figure also beat the route's previous record monthly figure of 1,134 passengers set in August 2008.

Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair's commercial director, said: "The peak summer season has proved to be exceptionally busy this year, no doubt helped by a number of special events and the unfortunate situation affecting MV Clansman."

The airline said 632 passengers had travelled between Stornoway and Benbecula.