Fresh plea to safeguard future of airport after 'hammer blow' to Wick's role as renewable energy base
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A fresh plea has been made to safeguard the future of Wick John O’Groats Airport after it emerged that the local economy has lost out on renewable energy activity because of the lack of scheduled flights.
Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain and Highland councillor Struan Mackie have urged the Scottish Government to "stop dragging its feet" on a public service obligation (PSO) to protect Caithness air links following the news that Moray East wind farm construction workers will be operating crew transfers from Buckie instead of Wick.
The matter was brought to light by Wick Harbour Authority, which was "extremely disappointed" to learn that a multinational company had decided to cease operations from the port. The relocation was made because of Buckie's proximity to Aberdeen.
Harbour authority chairman John Mackay, in a letter to politicians and others, described it as a "hammer blow" to efforts to promote Wick as a base for renewable energy developments.
Caithness was left without scheduled air services after the loss of the Wick/Edinburgh and Wick/Aberdeen routes last year.
A PSO, which would guarantee flights in and out of the county, is being considered by the Scottish Government after a business case was submitted by Caithness Chamber of Commerce.
Mr Mountain and Councillor Mackie, both Conservatives, say they are working together to find solutions.
“Caithness and Sutherland are in a perfect position to benefit from the economic opportunities that offshore wind farms bring but risk losing out because the SNP government has not yet afforded Wick John O’Groats Airport a PSO," Mr Mountain said.
"I support the case put forward by Caithness Chamber of Commerce for a PSO but I feel they have been let down by an SNP government which is working at a snail’s pace on this issue.
"The SNP government could have moved quicker on granting a PSO and they certainly had the finances to do so thanks to the additional hundreds of millions they have received from the UK government.
"There should be no more delay in kick-starting the far north’s economic recovery and a PSO for Wick John O’Groats Airport is key part of that.”
Councillor Mackie, who represents Thurso and Northwest Caithness on Highland Council, said: "The prolonged loss of scheduled flights from Wick John O’Groats Airport is having a devastating impact on local firms and their ability to attract and retain business in Caithness and north Sutherland.
"The failure of the Scottish Government to invest in Caithness Chamber of Commerce’s ‘shovel-ready’ PSO is jeopardising the region’s Covid-19 economic recovery. These proposals have been with Scottish ministers for months, and the delay in taking action is putting the far north at a direct disadvantage to other rural regions that have maintained their access to regular passenger flights.
"Stakeholders and the business community believe that the business case for the PSO is clear and that is why we are calling for the Scottish Government to make an investment in the vitally important asset for the far north of Scotland before it is too late.”
The 950MW Moray East development, about 14 miles off the east coast of Caithness, will have 100 turbines and is expected to be fully operational by 2022. Wick is the operations and maintenance base for the 84-turbine Beatrice offshore farm which was officially opened in 2019.
Wick Harbour Authority contacted Caithness Transport Forum, Caithness Chamber of Commerce, councillors and politicians alerting them to the Moray East company's withdrawal and warning that the county could miss out on jobs because of the loss of flights.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We recognise that globally, as well as here in Scotland, the aviation industry faces one of the longest recovery periods given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on route networks.
“Covid-19 is having a significant impact on passenger numbers and all airlines, including those serving the Highlands and Islands, are having to adjust their schedules to reflect current demand.
“We recognise the issues faced by the Caithness area and are considering carefully the business case submitted by the Caithness Chamber of Commerce for the direct subsidy of air services to Wick. We will respond as soon as possible, but we have been clear that any intervention would require multiple funding partners to restore scheduled services at Wick.”
