Action needed to silence the airport critics

The debate around the future of Dundee Airport is not new. It has been variously described as a waste of time and space, a toy town airport and an embarrassment to the city.

Latest passenger figures from operator Hial, which is an offshoot of the Scottish Government, make for further depressing reading.

In a time of Covid, when people were locked down at home, the figures were always going to be poor.

But while there are mitigating factors, the wider debate over the facility’s future – and that of those whose livelihoods depend on it – still needs to be had.

A city the size of Dundee, with attractions such as the V&A, and the Old Course on its doorstep, should have a vibrant airport.

That it was factored in to the Tay Cities Deal negotiations is positive.

But what that actually means and what is preventing swifter progress – whether it is physical or technical constraints at Riverside, lack of ongoing investment over the years or the inability to market the city to the right people with the connections to bring in new flights that are both popular and economically viable – needs to be better explained.

The short-lived link to Amsterdam in 2017 was a huge hit with the travelling public and it was frustrating to see it close. But what it showed was the pent-up demand for flights from this area.

If Dundee Airport is to survive and thrive long term it needs a laser-like focus from its owner to bring new opportunities to life.

There also needs to be a commitment to real and ongoing investment.

Anything less will simply give further ammunition to the sceptics.