Stone urges UK government to intervene after getting 'brush-off' over Wick flights
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Jamie Stone is calling for UK ministers to intervene over the future of Wick John O’Groats Airport after claiming to have been given the brush-off by the Scottish Government.
He has written to Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove underlining the need for a public service obligation (PSO) to protect Caithness air links.
Mr Stone's plea came after it emerged that the lack of flights had been a key factor in Wick losing out on renewable energy activity.
Wick Harbour Authority revealed in a letter to politicians and others that a multinational company involved in building the Moray East wind farm had decided to cease operations from the town and relocate to Buckie because of its proximity to Aberdeen Airport.
Caithness was left without scheduled air services after the loss of the Wick/Edinburgh and Wick/Aberdeen routes last year.
The Scottish Government says it is considering the business case for a PSO presented by Caithness Chamber of Commerce.
Mr Stone, the Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, said this week he had been engaging with the Scottish Government since March 2018 on the issue.
In his letter to Mr Gove, Mr Stone wrote: "It is clear that the Scottish Government is not being totally open about the airport’s future. It has rejected the option of a PSO in the past, and now it is saying to MSPs that it cannot be considered in light of competing budgets.
"Normally I’d seek to find resolution through the Scottish Government, but I’ve been brushed off at every instance despite constant pleas for a PSO since 2018. Hence my request that your government intervenes.
"If we lose the airport, the local economy will take another hit – one that it cannot afford. The situation, to be frank, is desperate."
Mr Stone said later: "This uncertainty is entirely unacceptable. The SNP government in Edinburgh continues to fail to address an issue that is absolutely vital to the future prosperity of the far north.
"That matters should have come to this present sorry pass in a disgrace. I very hope that Michael Gove and the UK government can now sort things out."
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We recognise that globally, as well as here in Scotland, the aviation industry faces one of the longest recovery periods given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on route networks.
“Covid-19 is having a significant impact on passenger numbers and all airlines, including those serving the Highlands and Islands, are having to adjust their schedules to reflect current demand.
“We recognise the issues faced by the Caithness area and are considering carefully the business case submitted by the Caithness Chamber of Commerce for the direct subsidy of air services to Wick. We will respond as soon as possible, but we have been clear that any intervention would require multiple funding partners to restore scheduled services at Wick.”
