Coll (COL): no security screening, and weight decides who gets on
Coll is served by Hebridean Air Services from Oban on a Britten-Norman Islander. Baggage is never screened, so there is no liquids rule, but if the aircraft is heavy the last passenger to check in is offloaded.
- Coll is reached from Oban Airport on a scheduled Hebridean Air Services flight. Argyll and Bute Council contracts the route.
- The aircraft is a Britten-Norman Islander, one of five in the operator's fleet across Oban, Stornoway and Shetland.
- Baggage is not searched or security screened, and the operator says there is therefore no limit on liquids carried.
- Dangerous goods are still banned. You confirm at check-in that you have none.
- If the aircraft is over weight, excess baggage goes first, then the last passenger to check in unless someone volunteers.
- A volunteer gets EU261 compensation. Check in early if you would rather not gamble.
- Passengers are not weighed individually. Standard weight projections are used.
- There is no wheelchair access to the aircraft and no lift. You must board and leave unaided or with a companion.
- One foldable wheelchair per flight can be carried in addition to luggage.
- Summer timetable runs 29 March to 25 October, winter 25 October to 28 March.
- Book on 0845 805 7465 or through the Hebridean Air Services website.
- A weather cancellation brings no hotel and no meals. Only cancellations in the operator's control trigger EU261 assistance.
Getting to and from Coll by air
- Coll sits in the Inner Hebrides close to Mull, and the air link is Oban to Coll, operated by Hebridean Air Services under contract to Argyll and Bute Council.
- The council lists the route on its own plane travel page alongside Oban to Colonsay and Oban to Tiree. Oban to Islay is charter only, which catches people out.
- Bookings go through 0845 805 7465 or the operator's website. There are two seasons: summer from 29 March to 25 October and winter from 25 October to 28 March.
- The ferry is the alternative and the one most visitors use for a car. The flight exists to make a day's business on the mainland possible.
What flying on an Islander actually means
- No screening. The operator states plainly that passengers will not have baggage searched or security screened before flight, and that there is no limit on the amount of liquids carried. Dangerous goods remain prohibited and you are asked to confirm you have none.
- Weight is the constraint, not a queue. Excess baggage is removed first if the aircraft is over weight. After that, the last passenger to check in is the one who does not fly, unless a volunteer steps forward and takes the EU261 compensation.
- Individual passengers are not weighed. Industry standard projections are used instead.
Accessibility
- The aircraft has no wheelchair access and no mechanical device to help passengers aboard. Ground crew assist, but you must manage the steps unaided or with a companion.
- One foldable wheelchair per flight is carried, in addition to luggage capacity.
- The operator offers a pre-travel visit to the aircraft if you are unsure. Take it rather than finding out on the day.
When the weather wins
- Cancellations caused by technical or operational problems bring accommodation, transport, meals and rebooking under EU261.
- Weather cancellations bring none of those. On this coast, plan the onward connection as though the flight might not go.
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