Plea to keep Eastern Airways’ aircraft in Wick for future operator
A Caithness Highland councillor believes it is crucial that the planes which serviced Eastern Airways’ Wick to Aberdeen route remain available to a prospective new operator.
Struan Mackie was speaking in the wake of potential moves to wind up the company after it filed for administration last week.
He said that retaining the 29-seater Jetstream 41s for potential re-use would be an important element in getting the scheduled service back up and running again.
Speaking at Thurso Community Council’s meeting last week, he said: “The Jetstreams are the kind of aircraft that can make airports like Wick viable.
“My worry would be that in any administration or liquidation process, they could end up being sold off anywhere in the world.
“They need to be available for future operations in Wick.”
Councillor Mackie is confident Highland Council will be able to re-tender for the local authority and Scottish Government-subsidised route before the Public Service Obligation (PSO) agreement runs out at the end of March.
He also did not believe the outstanding funding from the £1.3 million ploughed into the year-long contract by the Scottish Government and Highland Council would be affected by the proposed administration.
“My hope would be that a new operator takes over and there’s a contract with it in place until the end of March.”
He added: “It’s very frustrating and disappointing that this has happened but we can’t lose sight of the fact that there’s a clear demand for scheduled flights from Wick and that the route should be attractive to a new supplier.”
Community council secretary Mike Hannah said the route suffered through its lack of connectivity.
“They came up with a schedule that didn’t fit in with anything,” he said.
“You ended up sitting at Aberdeen airport twiddling your thumbs.”
Councillor Mackie said Eastern had an increasing focus on chartered business rather than scheduled services.
He said awarding a new contract should re-focus efforts to draw up a schedule which fits in with the demands of private and business travellers.