Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider  

 

Flights from Wick Airport - Uncertainty over future funding of Wick Aberdeen Service

20th February 2024

The Highland Council is currently unable to confirm whether funding will be available to support the Wick-Aberdeen Public Service Obligation (PSO) after 31st March 2024.

The funding for the PSO is currently provided on the basis of £1.3m annually, with £1m committed by the Scottish Government and £0.3m committed by The Highland Council. The Council's portion of the funding remains committed but there is uncertainty around the position of Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government's funding commitment to the PSO was made by the then Cabinet Secretary, Michael Matheson MSP, in February 2021, with funding starting as of 2022/23 to coincide with the start of PSO air services and running for two years initially, with a further two years (to 2025/26) subject to passenger growth in the first two years.

Since June 2023, the Council has been liaising with Transport Scotland officials as indication was given at that time of uncertainty around the continuation of funding. Following a productive meeting between the Council, stakeholders, and Transport Scotland in August 2023, a case for continued funding was produced by the Council and delivered in early October 2023. As of 19th February 2024, no decision has yet been made by Scottish Government.

As of January 2024, in its second year of operation the service has carried 9,252 passengers as compared to 8,835 in the first year of operation, and is showing an average growth year-to-date of 25%. By 31st March 2024, it is expected that the service will have carried over 11,000 passengers.

Leader of the Highland Council, Councillor Raymond Bremner, said: ""I wrote to the Cabinet Secretary on 12 February given the urgent necessity of requiring a decision in respect of the Scottish Government's continued support for the PSO operating from Wick. A lot of work went into making sure that the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland had all the necessary information on which to make a positive decision.

"Since that information was submitted, Wick Airport has continued to see increased passenger numbers and, in this current year, is the top performing airport in respect of increased passenger numbers year-on-year in the HIAL portfolio of airports. In October and December of last year, passenger numbers had increased by 25% and 22% YTD respectively. The Highland Council has done everything it possibly can including its commitment to the continuation of funding which, at the beginning of the PSO was known to be £1.2m. I sincerely hope that the Cabinet Secretary endorses the commitment evidenced to date by so many."

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

25/12/2024
Success Of First Highland-wide Virtual Jobs Fair
The first Highland-wide virtual jobs fair held last month has proved to be a hit with participants and businesses.   The week-long virtual event, which was delivered by the Local Employability Partnership for the West - The Highland Council, Skills Development Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Department for Work and Pensions, Developing the Young Workforce and UHI North West and Hebrides was timed to coincide with Scottish Careers Week 2024.  
25/12/2024
Highland Council Service Arrangements Over Festive Period 2024/2025
The Service Centre will close at 5pm on Tuesday 24 December, re-opening on Friday 27 December (opening times 8am to 5pm).  It will be closed on 1 and 2 January and open 8am to 5pm from Friday 3 January 2025.  
13/12/2024
Highland Council Financial Update
Members have considered an update on the Council's medium term financial plan and the impact of the UK and Scottish Governments’ budgets on the coming year’s funding settlement.   The position is currently looking more positive than initially planned for, however more detail needs to be worked through.  
10/12/2024
Highland Visitor Levy Scheme Consultation Period ExtendedThumbnail for article : Highland Visitor Levy Scheme Consultation Period Extended
In November, The Highland Council launched a public statutory consultation to seek views on the proposed introduction of a Visitor Levy scheme across the Highlands.   The Council has announced an extension to this consultation period, which will now give businesses, visitors and communities until 31 March 2025, an additional seven weeks, to take part and have their say.  
5/12/2024
Tell us more - Highland Council launches budget engagement
In the light of the financial forecast for 2025-26, Highland Council is inviting you to tell us more in the budget preparation for the coming financial year.   The budget engagement builds on extensive budget participation which took place in the winter of 2023-24.  
2/12/2024
Highland Winter Road Conditions Report - Monday 2 December 2024
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time.   It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.  
29/11/2024
Council Seeks Tenants Views On Rent For 2025/26
Every year Highland Council invites all tenants to have their say on the rent levels for the following year.   The Council encourages everyone that lives in a council house to take this chance to have their say.  
28/11/2024
Highland Council Approach To Local Child Poverty
Communities and Place Committee met yesterday (Wednesday 27 November 2024) and Members agreed the Highland Local Child Poverty Action Report which includes actions for delivery in 2024/25.   Reducing child poverty is a priority for the Council and its partners.  
28/11/2024
Highland Winter Road Conditions Report - Thursday 28 November 2024
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time.   It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.  
28/11/2024
Highland Council Committee Confirms Public Conveniences Action Plan
Members of the Highland Council's Community and Place Committee have given their support to an action plan focusing on the operating of public conveniences over the next 10 years.   Whilst not a statutory function, the Council is the main provider of public conveniences located throughout Highland, operating 74 sites.