Argument for state aid to maintain aviation links now strengthened

The loss of one of its only two routes will inevitably fuel fears about the future of Wick John o’ Groats Airport.

It still has flights to Aberdeen, with Eastern Airways continuing to operate these independently following the demise of its former franchise partner Flybe.

Caithness Chamber of Commerce has been lobbying for state aid for the ailing airport in the form of a public service obligation (PSO) – a means of maintaining services for sparsely populated areas through government subsidies.

Chamber chief executive Trudy Morris said Loganair’s withdrawal from the terminal at Wick strengthened the case for a PSO for the airport.

She added: “Regular, reliable regional aviation links are critical to our region’s continued economic success.

“This is a significant market failure which will have serious short, medium and long-term economic impacts. We need and expect urgent action from the Scottish Government to address these.

“While there are particular external pressures on the regional aviation market at the current time, this is a situation which could and should have already been addressed.

“We provided the Scottish Government with a contingency planning report in June of last year.

“Had that report prompted an active response, we would be in a much stronger position to deal with the issues we are now facing.

“Instead, a major operator from Wick John o’ Groats Airport has pulled out of a route providing vital services to communities across Caithness, and we do not have a plan or commitment from government to mitigate the impact.

“We have been proactive and planned for this type of scenario.

“We need government to step up and match our work.”