Passenger flights essential to future of Wick airport, says MSPs
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Two Highland MSPs have joined forces to fight for the continuation of subsidised passenger services from Wick airport, warning that its future could be in doubt without them.
The public service obligation (PSO) flights between Caithness and Aberdeen are due to run up to March 2024 through annual funding of £1 million from the Scottish Government, through Transport Scotland, and £300,000 from Highland Council.
On Wednesday, Labour MSP Rhoda Grant and Conservative MSP Edward Mountain met the transport minister Fiona Hyslop to make the case for continuing the PSO after the current deal runs out.
They argue that passenger numbers are rising and that demand for the service is growing, despite figures showing that passenger numbers had earlier fallen below expected levels. The pair also pointed out how important the airport is for health provision, tourism, the Sutherland Spaceport, Scrabster Harbour, offshore wind and other local business activity.
The MSPs also expressed concerns over the future of Wick airport should the Eastern Airways service end.
Speaking after the meeting, Ms Grant said: “I thank the minister for meeting us. The reality is that Caithness can almost become an island with rail and roads being poor and often inaccessible in bad weather.
“Thus I believe it is vital that this service continues post March 2024 for health provision, business provision and tourism. The minister did listen but time will tell whether the future of Wick PSO is safe.”
Mr Mountain said: “I was very pleased to meet the transport minister along with my colleague, Rhoda Grant MSP.
“I expressed my concerns to the transport minister about how much the local economy relies on the airport. It is not just about passenger numbers, which are rising, but also about the need for the airport to be used to transfer patients to Inverness or Aberdeen.
“Whilst understanding that finances are stretched, I pointed out that this really is a lifeline service and seldom have I seen a local campaign which has support across all sectors in the community.”
The transport minister has promised to look further into the issue but said that Scottish Government finances are limited.
Trudy Morris, chief executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce which fought for the PSO service before in launched in April 2022, said: “Lifeline air connectivity is vital to our businesses and communities, and an essential component in the overall transport connectivity to and from the region.
“There are no proposed major investments in our roads or rail infrastructure on the horizon which offer meaningful reduction in journey times in the short to medium term, or alternative solutions which connect our region physically to markets and opportunities. Uncertainty and threat to air service is of great concern for our region.
“The north Highlands is at the cusp of transformational developments including offshore wind, the Sutherland Spaceport, hydrogen production, net zero transport projects and a Flow Country Unesco World Heritage Site bid. Investors consistently highlight strong transport links as crucial to their operation and growth.
“Government decision-making must reflect confidence in the long-term vision of our region, supporting our rural economies to thrive.
“The airport also serves our buoyant tourism sector, which adds £135 million to the local economy. The PSO flight schedule is central to the sustainability of Wick John O’Groats Airport and the route is demonstrating sustained and consistent growth.
“Passenger numbers have increased by an average of 27 per cent, breaking through the 1000 per month barrier. This increase is fuelled by strong demand from the business sector and innovative promotions to reach leisure passengers. It is our ambition to grow this and there is a strong partnership working across the public and private sectors.”
