Wick-Aberdeen flights subsidy rests in hands of Scottish Government as Highland Council hands over report
A key decision over the future of subsidised passenger flights from Wick John O’Groats Airport lies in the hands of the transport minister after a vital report was handed over this week.
With just over two weeks to go until the agreed funding package runs out, talks are still ongoing over continuing the public service obligation (PSO) that has been in operation since April 2022.
It is subsidised annually by Highland Council (£300,000) and the Scottish Government (£1 million) through a contract with Eastern Airways.
However, the three-year agreement ends on March 31 and negotiations have been taking place over continuing the deal for a further 12 months. Highland Council has committed to continuing the flights and is now awaiting the Scottish Government decision.
On Tuesday, the local authority submitted a final output report of the Wick John O’Groats Airport Working Group to Transport Scotland.
It says the report highlights a number of key opportunities for future sustainable delivery of services at the airport, as well as opportunities for substantial economic growth in the north Highlands over the coming decade.
The report also forms a key part of the council’s commitment to reporting to Transport Scotland in support of the Wick-Aberdeen Public Service Obligation (PSO) and is the last remaining piece of information required by Scottish Ministers to enable them to make a decision with regards to a funding package for the PSO into 2025/26.
Cllr Raymond Bremner, a Wick representative and chairman of the Wick John O’Groats Airport Working Group, said: “Continued support for scheduled services from Wick into financial year 2025/26 is vital to enabling the delivery of the opportunities highlighted in the report.
“We are all aware of the substantial economic opportunities that are on the cusp of being realised in the north Highlands, and of the vital role that the airport will play in enabling these, and continued support for scheduled services will give some short-term certainty to allow this vital work to progress.”
Figures for the overall reliability of the service were at 90 per cent in July and August but slumped to 79 per cent in September, the last month for which figures are available.
Changes were made to the schedule this week and several users have raised concerns over the last-minute nature of the decision whether or not to continue the subsidy, including one who stated that jobs could be at risk for those who rely on the service.
Cllr Bremner added: “We are aware that this has been a challenging year for the Wick-Aberdeen service, and that this week’s unforeseen schedule change will no doubt have caused issue for some PSO customers and stakeholders.
“The council remains committed to the future of Wick John O’Groats Airport and we will be working closely with Eastern Airways and PSO stakeholders over the coming days to ensure that we build a sustainable and deliverable service through to the end of 2025/26.”
A PSO factsheet on the Highland Council website says that plans for the PSO beyond March 2026 are in “constant discussion” with the working group that includes Transport Scotland, Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Airports Limited, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Caithness Chamber of Commerce and Focus North.
It says: “Together, this group examines not only the case for ongoing funding for the PSO, but a sustainable, innovative operating model for the long-term sustainability of the airport.”
