Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider WED 21ST MAY 2025    9:50:23 AM BST
This site uses cookies, by continuing to use this site you accept the terms of our privacy policy
Back To Top
Caithness.Org Quick Links
Home
Construction
Leisure
Manufacturing
Misc.
Primary
Professional
Public
Retail
Tourism
Transport
Site Map
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Feed 2.0 Loading...

Wick - Aberdeen Air Route Under Threat - Five MSPs Collectively Fight For Wick To Aberdeen PSO Contract Funding

24th November 2023

Several Highlands and Islands regional MSPs come together to work together to fight for Wick/Aberdeen Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract to keep an air route Wick - Aberdeen working in future years.

Highlands and Islands Regional MSPs Rhoda Grant, Douglas Ross, Edward Mountain, Donald Cameron and Jamie Halcro Johnston have all come together to work cross-party on campaigning for future funding of the Wick/Aberdeen PSO contract after a response from the Scottish Government's Transport Secretary is called "ominous".

In October 2023, the five MSPs wrote collectively to the Transport Secretary to support the PSO contract as it provides the Scottish Government value for money.

The MSPs collectively stated that even though the contract did not start as intended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Demand for the flights are increasing - proving value for money - and are essential to the economic development and retainment of population to the Caithness region given that Dounreay is decommissioning.

The MSPs also highlighted that the A9 north is dire and that rail is not a suitable alternative.

In response to this letter, which is addressed to the constituency MSP Maree Todd, the Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop states that numbers remain significantly lower than the 2021 business case and that future funding is dependent on growth in numbers. She also indicates that a decision will be made as part of the 2024/25 budget process while highlighting budgetary pressures.

In response to this the five MSPs have requested a meeting with the Transport Secretary in the Scottish Government to make their case for the airline route.

Rhoda Grant MSP says: "This letter is ominous, and I think we have a fight on our hands to save this service.

"This is a lifeline service that connects Caithness to Aberdeen. The County is facing severe depopulation and alternative modes of transport such as road and rail are poor. It is vital that this service continues."

Douglas Ross MSP says: “It is vital to support these lifeline services from Wick and I am happy to work across the political spectrum to achieve this."

Edward Mountain MSP says: “Losing Wick airport would not only be a disaster for businesses and the people of Caithness, but it would also seriously damage our ability to recover patients to Raigmore. If the Scottish Government can't support it for these reasons, one wonders what reasons they would need.”

Donald Cameron MSP says: “The loss of this important service would not only be a bitter blow for local residents and businesses, but it could result in long-term economic harm for Caithness. It is vital that this PSO remains in place.”

Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP says: “This is a vital link and should be supported. Too often, people living in communities furthest away from the Central Belt are seeing services being cut or lost entirely. That can't go, and Scottish Government ministers should be working harder to connect our rural communities, not threatening to withdraw the already limited transport links they do have”.

A Public Service Obligation is often used to support public transport between two or more regions, where it is not possible for the service to be delivered commercially. These are generally used in Scotland on what are called "lifeline" services. In this case, it is the Wick to Aberdeen flight.

This PSO is currently funded by Transport Scotland (£1 million per year) and Highland Council (£300,000 per year).

The letter from Fiona Hyslop MSP, Minister for Transport
9 October 2023
Dear Maree,
Thank you for your letter of 22 September 2023 about the Wick to Aberdeen air service.
I am aware of the importance that the Chamber of Commerce attaches to this service. Passenger numbers, however, remain significantly below what was projected in the original business case. It should be noted that, for the original offer of Scottish Government support in 2021, passenger growth was in reference to these projections with our future funding being dependent on a growth in
numbers. Given the usage of the service to date, Highland Council has committed to providing information in October on how passenger numbers could be increased if the service continues. This will incorporate feedback from stakeholders, including the Chamber of Commerce.
You are aware of the significant pressure that the Scottish Government budget faces in future years. Any decision on contributing to the funding of the service beyond 31 March 2024 must be taken in this context, and will also take account of the further information to be provided by Highland Council. That decision will be taken as part of the 2024-25 Budget process.
Yours sincerely
FIONA HYSLOP
Minister for Transport