Partners Launch Revised Timetable To Improve Reliability And Connectivity Of Wick John O'groats Airport Flights

3rd October 2024

The Highland Council and Eastern Airways have agreed a number of changes to scheduled flight times on the Wick-Aberdeen air route.

The changes have been carefully considered to reduce cancellations and restore public trust. All partners have reiterated their commitment to protecting the service and retaining flights six days a week.

Highland Council and Eastern Airways met last week and agreed the following key measures:

Measure

Rationale

Protect Wick/Aberdeen as a 6-day service

Essential for business connectivity and wider economy

Reduce from twice-daily to daily flights on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

Very low demand for morning midweek service. Consolidated flight improves aircraft availability, reduces impact of winter weather, eases staffing pressures, provides a more sustainable service

Earlier departure times on afternoon/evening flights
Reduces chance of adverse weather disruption in winter. Improves onward connectivity with Manchester, Humberside, Birmingham and London

Retain Sunday service unchanged
Strong demand for Sunday flight

No price changes until March 2025
Maintain value for money and work to restore passenger confidence

Guaranteed offer of refund or taxi transfer in cases of cancellation
Reassures passengers concerned about travel in adverse weather

The new timetable will come into effect on Monday 14 October, and operate throughout the winter until March 2025.

These changes are designed to protect the future sustainability of the service, which is funded by Transport Scotland and the Highland Council as a public service obligation (PSO). PSO status is awarded to services that provide ‘lifeline' connectivity but would not be viable to operate on a commercial basis. The Wick-Aberdeen route is regarded as crucial to the north Highland economy and the wider community. It provides better access to employment, leisure, healthcare and social opportunities whilst making it easier to do business across Scotland and the rest of the UK.

The Wick-Aberdeen route has enjoyed considerable early success, with passenger growth of 25% in the second year and monthly passenger numbers often exceeding one thousand. However, over the past 12 months, overall reliability fell from upwards of 90% to an average of 85%, while September 2024 dipped to 79%. This reflects a number of cancellations caused by operational issues or adverse weather.

Partners believe the new timetable will deliver meaningful service improvements in the months ahead.

Roger Hage, Eastern Airways, said: "We are acutely conscious that recent service levels have fallen short of the standards our passengers expect. We have listened to passenger feedback and on discussion with partners we have decided to make some changes which we believe will deliver improvements in the Wick-Aberdeen service. We hope to restore confidence in the service and welcome an increased focus on onward connectivity to allow easier use of Aberdeen through the more challenging winter months."

Malcolm MacLeod, Assistant Chief Executive (Place) of The Highland Council said: "In light of recent issues with the service, all stakeholders got around the table and had a deep and constructive conversation about improving service standards. We believe that these changes are the right move to create a more reliable and sustainable service, and we are confident from our discussion with Eastern Airways that the changes will bring immediate improvements.

"We view the Wick-Aberdeen flights as a lifeline service to the north Highlands and we all remain absolutely committed to making a go of it. We would ask passengers and the wider community to support the service as we deliver these improvements."

Stakeholders will continue to regularly review service performance and work together to deliver positive progress in the months ahead.

Full details of the new timetable can be found online at
https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/1523/transport_and_streets/1048/wick_public_service_obligation/3
or by visiting easternairways.com

The Wick-Aberdeen Public Service Obligation (PSO) was agreed in April 2022 with an initial three years of funding from Transport Scotland (£1m per annum) and Highland Council (£300k per annum).