Highland Council (PSO)
The Highland Council is supporting air services between Wick John O’Groats Airport and Aberdeen International Airport. This is being done through a Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract with Eastern Airways. The PSO is set to be in place for three years, starting in April 2022, and is funded by Transport Scotland (£1 million per year) and Highland Council (£300,000 per year).
As a “lifeline” service, the main aim of the Wick-Aberdeen PSO is to support the community of the North Highlands. By supporting air access to Aberdeen and beyond, the Council is ensuring that residents of the region have better access to business, leisure, healthcare and social opportunities.
The PSO is also designed to support the business community of the region. Many businesses in Caithness and Sutherland require access to Aberdeen, and connections to destinations such as Manchester, London and the Midlands. By supporting air access to Aberdeen, the Council is ensuring that businesses can quickly and affordably get to and from the region in order to do business with the rest of the UK.
