Caithness chamber 'deeply disappointed' by Wick flight reduction
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Caithness Chamber of Commerce has said it is "deeply disappointed" by Eastern Airways' decision to reduce its Wick/Aberdeen timetable to just one flight a day.
Chamber chief executive Trudy Morris called it a drastic step and said it was important to find a solution that would help bring new opportunities for the route as well as meeting current needs.
Eastern Airways changed its Flybe aircraft timetable last week for a new winter schedule, saying that the service was operating at a loss.
As reported in the John O'Groat Journal, the matter was highlighted by offshore worker Andrew Gunn, from Lybster. He is concerned that the reduction of flights from two to one a day is a "nail in the coffin" for Wick John O'Groats Airport and fears it is part of an overall move to run down the service.
Ms Morris said: “We are deeply disappointed by Eastern Airways’ decision to cut its schedule so drastically and with so little public notice. We are aware of the issues surrounding the Aberdeen route and the wider pressures on air services from Wick John O’Groats Airport, and have been in discussion with stakeholders including Eastern over the past year to try and address these issues.
"Eastern has long been aware of what businesses in this area require from a Wick/Aberdeen service. We also take issue with Eastern’s recent statement to customers and stakeholders which says there is an unwillingness from all key air service stakeholders and the Scottish Government to provide the airport and its routes comparable status to similar remote airports elsewhere in Scotland.
“There is a real willingness among local partners to work to secure air services from Wick. The chamber had a very productive discussion on issues around air services with Michael Matheson [Scotland's transport secretary] on his visit in August, and since then we and a range of other partners and agencies have been working tirelessly on this.
This is not about patching up a failing service. It is about finding a solution.
"We have had several discussions with Transport Scotland with the aim of developing a public service obligation service from the airport. This work is being taken forward through the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, of which the chamber is a member, and in which the chamber is taking an active lead.
"This is not about patching up a failing service. It is about finding a solution which will not only provide a service that meets the current needs of the region, but one which will help capture new opportunities.”
Roger Hage, Eastern Airways’ operations manager, said this week: “Over 18 years, Eastern Airways has invested £4.5 million in support. However, as this service continues to sustain losses, and we enter a period of the year where adverse weather can significantly impact on our operation, increasing care and assistance costs under EU261 [compensation regulation], we are no longer as a commercial business willing to underwrite such losses during the winter months.
"Following considerable dialogue, which remains ongoing between all air service key stakeholders, including the Scottish Government, there is little willingness to offer the Caithness airport and its routes comparable status to similar remote airports elsewhere in Scotland other than the Air Discount Scheme."
Mr Hage said that dialogue with stakeholders would go on, however, to explore all ways of aiding better air services for the region that are "financially viable and sustainable" for the longer term.
Caithness oil worker hits out over flight timetable
