Jamie Stone 'jubilant' at return of scheduled flights to Wick John O’Groats Airport
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Local MP Jamie Stone was “jubilant” at the announcement that scheduled flights are returning to Caithness, saying connectivity is vital to the success of the far north.
Eastern Airways has been awarded a contract to provide a year-round service between Wick John O’Groats Airport and Aberdeen. Annual public service obligation (PSO) funding of £1.3 million has been provided by Transport Scotland and Highland Council to guarantee a service for three years, with flights due to restart in April.
The deal follows extensive lobbying efforts by local business leaders and politicians.
Mr Stone, the Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, first asked Scotland's transport secretary to implement a PSO in 2018 amid fears that services would be axed.
His request was rejected and Caithness was left without scheduled flights after the loss of the Wick/Edinburgh and Wick/Aberdeen routes in 2020.
Mr Stone said: “I am jubilant that people will once again be able to fly in and out of Wick. After many years of campaigning, this is a fantastic achievement for all involved.
“Connectivity is pivotal to the success of the far north, and this service between Wick and Aberdeen is the best that we have had in years.
“I am deeply proud to have played a part in reinstating this service and I hope that it sends a strong signal to the government that Caithness and Sutherland matter.”
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant paid tribute to the efforts of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, Highland Council and Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership as well as agencies such as Transport Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
“A PSO to protect air services was something myself and my former Labour MSP colleague, David Stewart, were calling for long before air services collapsed at Wick, because they were in a fragile state prior to Covid," Mrs Grant said.
“Hopefully this will allow air connections to grow, helping the local economy and tourism and allowing access to new international routes, although it is disappointing that the Edinburgh link has not been mentioned as being able to be reinstated.
“It is also disappointing that the Tory government refused to inject funding into the PSO despite my suggestion that it would be a good use of Levelling Up money.”
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Edward Mountain said: “This announcement is a huge boost for the economy and connectivity of Caithness.
“The return of scheduled flights would not have happened without the hard work and collaboration between Highland Council, local councillors and the business community in the far north.
“I praise all their efforts in helping to secure the return of this lifeline service and I look forward to continuing to work with stakeholders to ensure the long-term future of our local airports.”
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership (CNSRP) also welcomed the announcement.
CNSRP partners, led by Caithness Chamber of Commerce and supported by funding from Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd for the business case, have worked together to ensure that commercial fights can restart. These will begin on April 11.
Ian Ross, independent chairman of the CNSRP executive board, said: “I am delighted to see the announcement of the award of a contract for services from Wick to Aberdeen.
"This has been a key strategic priority for the CNSRP partners. There have been concerted efforts from all of the CNSRP partners over the last two years to help deliver this important outcome.
“In particular I want to recognise the considerable efforts of Caithness Chamber of Commerce and Highland Council and the key support of the Scottish Government and the Dounreay site – all partners in the CNSRP – in leading and funding this crucial work.
“The return of this lifeline service will strengthen the region’s connections, supporting existing employers, and allow us to maximise the many exciting opportunities to develop new jobs linked to the offshore wind and space sectors and other emerging industries.
“Ensuring the return of air services to Wick has been a key goal of the CNSRP programme. The fact that this has happened and that the aircraft will be based at Wick for a part of the week is doubly pleasing.
“When the aircraft starts locally it means early-morning flights which will offer a full day’s business in Aberdeen and, crucially, onward connections to the UK and internationally.
“With flights supported by a PSO giving good fares and a robust and reliable timetable, CNSRP partners will work to develop opportunities to ensure the continued success of Wick John O’Groats Airport which is a vital asset for the development of the region as we recover from the pandemic.
“Net-zero and sustainability are at the heart of the CNSRP programme, and partners will work closely with the operators, HIAL and other relevant bodies to ensure sustainable development of the service.”
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