Growing calls for Scottish Government to act over 'dire situation' at Wick John O'Groats Airport
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PRESSURE is growing on the Scottish Government to take action after Caithness was left in the "dire situation" of having no scheduled air services.
Local politicians want Scotland's transport secretary Michael Matheson to provide a public service obligation (PSO) – a kind of subsidy – for flights to and from Wick John O'Groats Airport.
Highlands and Islands MSP David Stewart has accused the government of "dithering", while Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson says the situation is "deeply concerning" and has called for a meeting with Mr Matheson.
She wants to discuss how a PSO can be moved forward "as quickly as possible" and other measures that could be put in place to support the airport.
Councillor Davidson made her plea after Eastern Airways pulled out of its Wick to Aberdeen service, leaving the area with no scheduled flights. Loganair withdrew from the Wick to Edinburgh route in March.
She said: "This is a deeply disappointing decision and one which further demonstrates the need for an ambitious new approach to protecting our vital regional aviation links."
Her stance is backed by Caithness councillors.
Caithness committee chairman Matthew Reiss said: "No ifs, no buts. If Dundee has a PSO, we need one to secure the future of Wick airport too. When the transport minister met with the local chamber of commerce last August the risks to Wick were unambiguously spelled out to him.
"The chamber has done a power of work outlining a possible solution and my fellow councillors and I will continue to raise the future of the airport as a priority with our MSP and the minister."
This is a deeply disappointing decision and one which further demonstrates the need for an ambitious new approach.
Caithness civic leader Willie Mackay said: "Having regular and reliable air links is going to be crucial when it comes to driving forward our economy and I believe it will put us in a better position to recover from the impact of Covid-19.
"I am impressed with the excellent work done to date to raise the issue. There is no doubt a very strong case has been put forward for our airport to receive the necessary subsidies to help safeguard its future."
Wick councillor Nicola Sinclair said: "I would like to reassure people that we’re very much on the case and are closely collaborating with Caithness Chamber of Commerce and our MSP and will continue to do all we can to protect the airport."
Mr Stewart, a Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said the loss of the air services has left Caithness in a "dire situation" and has called on the transport secretary to provide a PSO.
He said: "The writing was on the wall long before this week’s announcement [about Eastern Airways] and still the government appears to be dithering about what to do. I doubt whether any other areas of the UK have been left without such vital air links.
"In fact the UK government and the Northern Ireland Executive have already moved to protect air links between the two countries.
"Mr Matheson needs to get a shift on to talk to his UK counterparts to make sure Caithness is in a good position to get connected again, and quickly."
Mr Stewart is lodging a series of parliamentary questions, including asking the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the importance of Wick airport for the future development of Caithness and Sutherland.
The MSP also wrote to Mr Matheson and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon after Loganair announced the axing of its Edinburgh/Wick service on March 27.
The transport secretary previously the business case submitted by Caithness Chamber of Commerce was being given careful consideration.
A PSO, under EU transport law, is a permitted state aid which maintains scheduled air services on routes vital for the economic development of the region they serve.
