‘Eminently sensible’: MP backs idea of Loganair flights stopping off at Wick
A suggestion that some flights to and from Orkney could stop off in Wick deserves to be taken seriously, according to Jamie Stone.
He described it as an “eminently sensible” idea and said he would be happy to try and help in taking it forward.
The Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross was speaking after an approach to Loganair by local resident Jacqueline Innes.
Loganair’s destinations from Kirkwall Airport include Edinburgh, Glasgow and London Heathrow as well as Aberdeen, Inverness and Sumburgh.
Mrs Innes, from Reay, recently started a Facebook group following concerns over the reliability of Eastern Airways’ Wick/Aberdeen service.
There have been complaints about delays and late cancellations on the route, which is supported by a public service obligation (PSO) funded by the Scottish Government and Highland Council.
Mrs Innes contacted Loganair, outlining a potential opportunity for the airline “to enhance air connectivity for Caithness while also benefiting from increased passenger numbers”.
When invited to comment on the idea, Mr Stone said: “This seems an eminently sensible suggestion.
“I myself have used the Wick to Aberdeen flight on a Monday night because it connects with an onward BA flight to Heathrow – and thus I am in time to attend business in the Commons on a Tuesday morning.
“However, that said, I always have at the back of mind that any cancellation of a Monday night flight out of Wick would ruin the whole plan – which would leave me in an embarrassing situation.
“I remember my first flight out of Inverness to Shetland to start work at Sullom Voe many years ago. That flight stopped at Wick, and Orkney too, before heading on to Shetland.
“It looks as if Jacqueline Innes is suggesting something along the same lines – and, as it worked back then, I can see no reason why it shouldn’t work today.
“I hope Jacqueline’s suggestion is taken seriously and looked at, and I would be very happy to help in any way that I can.”
Mrs Innes and her husband Ian are regular users of the Wick/Aberdeen service. She created the Facebook group Eastern Airways – Caithness Tracker to bring together statistics and passenger experiences. The group now has 475 members.
As reported last week, a Loganair spokesperson said there are no plans to change its routes at present “but Loganair constantly keeps network opportunities in mind for the future”.
In her letter to the airline, Mrs Innes wrote: “At present, the only scheduled service from Wick to Aberdeen is operated by Eastern Airways, but reliability issues have been a concern. In the past, Loganair provided a Wick/Edinburgh service, but this is no longer available.
“Given the need for improved transport links in the region, I would like to propose a possible solution that could be mutually beneficial.
“Wick is only around 15 minutes by air from Kirkwall, and I note that Loganair operates regular services from Kirkwall to multiple destinations. Would it be feasible to introduce a stop in Wick on some of these flights?
“Even if not every flight included Wick as a stop, a select number of services incorporating Wick could significantly improve connectivity for local residents and businesses.
“This adjustment could serve to increase passenger numbers on existing routes, benefiting both Caithness travellers and Loganair’s financial performance. With more people able to access flights through Wick, Loganair could potentially capture additional market share in the region while supporting essential transport links.”
Also last week, Mrs Innes highlighted a series of concerns from regular users of the Wick/Aberdeen link. These include claims that Caithness travellers are having to put up with a “second-class” service and that flights to and from Wick are “treated as an afterthought” by Eastern Airways.
Flights were reinstated in April 2022 under a PSO funded by the Scottish Government at £1 million a year and Highland Council with an annual contribution of £300,000. Continued government funding into the financial year 2025/26 was announced last month.
Less than a fortnight after the Scottish Government funding announcement, a revised timetable came into effect with Monday and Friday morning flights dropped from the schedule.
