Business leader tells of 'vital' need to make full use of Wick/Aberdeen flights
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Business and leisure travellers from the far north are being told it is "vital" that they make full use of the Wick/Aberdeen air link as it enters its second year.
Trudy Morris, chief executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, described the service operated by Eastern Airways as an essential component in the north Highlands' overall transport connectivity.
Tuesday marked the first anniversary of the reinstatement of flights between Wick John O'Groats Airport and the Granite City under a public service obligation (PSO).
A new schedule comes into operation from Sunday providing onward flights to a number of UK cities and European destinations.
A long campaign to bring back scheduled links to Wick culminated on April 11 last year with the first flight to Aberdeen since March 2020.
Ms Morris said: “This month marks the first anniversary of the Wick/Aberdeen PSO agreement, and we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Highland Council and Eastern Airways on the successful delivery of this vital airline service.
“Alongside partners Focus North [formerly known as Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership], lobbying and producing the business case to secure the return of lifeline air services to Wick John O’Groats Airport was one of our highest priorities for many years and we are delighted to see it reach this milestone.
“Air connectivity is vital to businesses and communities across the north Highlands, and as we progress into year two of the public service obligation it remains clear that this is an essential component in the overall transport connectivity to and from the region.
“The service encompasses business, leisure and essential lifeline travel needs for people in the north Highlands. It is vital, as we move into year two, that people make full use of the service so that we have a strong business case for its continuation.”
David Swanson, Highland Council project officer for the Wick PSO, said: “In the face of what has been a challenging year for domestic aviation across the UK, the council has been delighted to support the delivery of reliable, affordable, lifeline air services for the people of the north Highlands.
"Since April 2022 we have successfully helped nearly 9000 people travel from Wick to Aberdeen and beyond to access vital business, leisure and healthcare opportunities.
“In fact, our latest passenger survey data shows that passengers flying from Wick have ended their journeys on every continent with the exception of Antarctica, so these flights can truly be said to be connecting the north Highlands to the rest of the world.
“As we look ahead to the second year of the service there is plenty to be excited about. Our new schedule, which comes into operation from April 16, offers fantastic access to onward flights not only to a range of UK cities but to European destinations including Amsterdam, Palma, Malaga, Rhodes and Corfu.
"Whether you’re looking to do a day’s business in Aberdeen, make onward connections to UK and European hub airports or jet off on your summer holidays, PSO flights from Wick offer a reliable and affordable way to travel.
"Supporting communities across the region is a vital part of Highland Council’s mission, and we are delighted to continue to support this lifeline service for those living and working in the north Highlands.”
Earlier this year, a briefing to Highland Council's Caithness committee indicated that flights at Wick were at risk of “service failure” due to passenger numbers not meeting the expected rates.
Mr Swanson acknowledged at the time there had been "challenges" in achieving the volume of passenger numbers projected in the original contract submission.
"This is in part due to significantly reduced demand from the business community post-Covid," he said, adding that the trend "has been generally upwards" – helped by a schedule change in August 2022 which introduced services at times "more amenable to business use".
The service is operating under a PSO for three years, funded annually by £1 million from Transport Scotland and £300,000 from Highland Council.
