A probe has been launched after an Edinburgh-bound flight took off without approval from air traffic control.
The Loganair flight 394 was refused clearance during a work-to-rule while trying to take off from Orkney on Friday evening.
However the plane, which was carrying 33 passengers, left around an hour later after an intervention from the airline and airport management.
Air traffic controllers with Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) began a work-to-rule last Monday (1 April) over an ongoing pay dispute.
The Daily Record reports a source told them that the sole controller on Friday's shift was about to finish for the day when the aircraft captain sought clearance for take-off.
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But the call at 7.43pm was denied despite the airport being open until 8pm and air traffic control personnel being on duty until 8.30pm.
The plane ended up taking off at 8.45pm using a procedure which allows pilots to fly without air traffic control support.
The source told the Record that "safety assessments and legal provisions permit operations under these circumstances". Loganair also said they were satisfied that the operation was safe and legal.
However David Avery, of the Prospect Union, told the Record: "If a flight with passengers has departed without air traffic control that would be very serious and the CAA would need to look into the matter urgently."
They report that the HIAL and Civial Aviation Authority are looking into the incident, although HIAL say safety procedures were followed before the flight left.
The 209-mile journey was completed safely with passengers and three crew on board.
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