£4m Scottish Government boost to bring back Wick air services
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Hopes of a viable future for Caithness air links have been given a massive boost with the announcement today of up to £4 million in Scottish Government funding.
The money will be made available to Highland Council over the next four financial years to bring back services to and from Wick John O'Groats Airport.
The Scottish Government says the investment will help the local authority to take forward plans for public service obligation (PSO) routes, in consultation with communities and businesses.
Caithness was left without scheduled flights after the loss of the Wick/Edinburgh and Wick/Aberdeen routes last year. The Scottish Government has been giving consideration to a PSO business case submitted by Caithness Chamber of Commerce.
Scotland's transport secretary Michael Matheson said: “We recognise the issues faced by the Caithness area with the loss of the flights to and from Edinburgh and Aberdeen, so we are pleased to announce significant funding to help reintroduce flights to Wick.
“This will allow Highland Council, in partnership with key stakeholders, to take forward plans for public service obligation routes. I am in no doubt they are best placed to determine the services that are required by their communities.
“My officials in Transport Scotland would also be happy to provide advice on the PSO process, as they do with other local authorities which contract air services.
“This offer underlines our strong support for restoring air connectivity to the Caithness and Sutherland area and we look forward to working with Highland Council to bring flights back to Wick.”
North politicians Jamie Stone and Gail Ross have written a joint letter to the Scottish Government welcoming the investment.
The letter says: "It has been the most wonderful bit of news to know that you have heard our constituents' plea to get support for Wick airport. Thank you. In such dark times as these, good news like this is especially welcome!
"Over the years, we have both lobbied you for a public service obligation. We did so with the help of the amazing people in Caithness, from Highland councillors to the Caithness Chamber of Commerce. The list of people to thank is endless, but we wanted to take the time to recognise the contribution of local people in securing the economic vitality of the place we all call home.
"Securing the future of Wick’s airport is a huge relief to the many locals who rely on it as part of their commute. It is also key if we are to attract more businesses to the area. In particular, the success of Sutherland’s spaceport and the boost it will bring to our local economy will be emboldened with the protection of this key transport link.
"The need to revitalise the Highland economy has always been a priority but the scourge of this pandemic on people’s livelihoods makes it more important than ever that we act now to prepare for the future. Supporting the airport and the spaceport is all part of the mission to empower local people, so they can stay in the Highlands.
"We hope that the progress regarding the airport signals the start of the government listening more intently to the needs of Highlanders."
Mr Stone, the Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, said later: “The future of Wick airport is utterly crucial to the economy of the far north.
"As we strive to get new high-quality jobs, for example with the Sutherland spaceport, our transport links are vital.
"The announcement today proves that putting your constituents before party politics is how we make a change. I'm always keen to work collaboratively for the common good and am thrilled that it has paid off."
Mrs Ross, the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, said: “It’s great to see cross-party working between all elected members and Scottish Government ministers to reach this important funding announcement.
"Jamie and I have worked together on a number of projects over the years and have proved that local issues come before party politics and individually held views.
"Thanks to the Scottish Government and all the other stakeholders that have worked towards this – protecting jobs and ensuring Caithness is open for business.”
The Scottish Government says it will provide up to £1 million annually to Highland Council in 2021/22 and 2022/23 to support scheduled air services from Wick John O'Groats Airport, with a further £1 million in each of 2023/24 and 2024/25 subject to growth in passengers in years one and two.
It says the contribution in the first year will be determined by the start date of the flights, with £83,000 being available for each full month of operation. In addition, the Scottish Government will continue to meet the full costs of the airport, which in 2019/20 equated to £2.035 million, through its subsidy of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.
