Reintroduction of Wick flights will help in Covid recovery, says 'thrilled' MSP Maree Todd
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Constituency MSP Maree Todd says she is confident that the return of air links to Caithness will bring economic and social opportunities and help in the recovery from Covid-19.
She said she was thrilled that Eastern Airways had been awarded a contract to provide a year-round service between Wick John O’Groats Airport and Aberdeen, and pointed out that the reintroduction of flights would not have been possible without substantial Scottish Government support.
Public service obligation funding has been provided by Transport Scotland and Highland Council to guarantee a service for three years, with flights starting in April.
Ms Todd, the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, praised the work carried out by a range of agencies in making the deal possible.
“I am thrilled to see the return of scheduled flights from Wick John O’Groats Airport this year," she said.
“The year-round service between Wick and Aberdeen will not only improve connectivity to and from the county but it will provide opportunities for onward domestic and international travel.
"I’m confident that in remobilising air links we can attract economic and social opportunities to Caithness, aiding us in our recovery from Covid-19.
“This would not have been possible without substantial backing from the Scottish Government, which is providing a contribution to the cost of flights.
"In addition to the support for the air service, the Scottish Government will continue to meet the full operational costs of the airport through its subsidy of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd [HIAL].
“A power of work has gone into securing this route, where close collaboration between Highland Council, Caithness Chamber of Commerce, HIAL, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority made the procurement process a success.
“I am sending a big thank-you to all stakeholders involved – I look forward to seeing what the future holds for Caithness and Sutherland.”
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