£4 million funding to re-introduce Caithness flights

The Scottish Government is giving £4 million to help get flights back to Wick John O'Groats Airport.

The money will be given to Highland Council over the next four years to bring back services to and from the airport.

This funding will help to take forward plans for Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes, in consultation with local communities and businesses.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson his officials in Transport Scotland will be happy to advise on the PSO process.

He said: "We recognise the issues faced by the Caithness area with the loss of the flights to and from Edinburgh and Aberdeen, so we are pleased to announce significant funding to help reintroduce flights to Wick Airport.

"This will allow the Highland Council, in partnership with key stakeholders, to take forward plans for Public Service Obligation routes. I am in no doubt they are best placed to determine the services that are required by their communities.

"This offer underlines our strong support for restoring air connectivity to the Caithness and Sutherland area and we look forward to working with the Highland Council to bring flights back to Wick Airport."

"The future of Wick airport is utterly crucial to the economy of the Far North" - MP Jamie Stone

Far North Lib Dem MP, Jamie Stone, and SNP MSP, Gail Ross, wrote a joint letter to the Scottish Government in response to the announcement thanking the Transport Cabinet Secretary.

Mr Stone said: "We have waited so long for this, and it's great to see at long last the argument has been won.

"The future of Wick airport is utterly crucial to the economy of the Far North.

"As we strive to get new high-quality jobs, for example with the Sutherland spaceport, our transport links are vital.

"The announcement today proves that putting your constituents before party politics is how we make a change.

"I'm always keen to work collaboratively for the common good and am thrilled that it has paid off!"

Ms Ross added: "It’s great to see cross party working between all elected members and Scottish Government Ministers to reach this important funding announcement.

"Jamie and I have worked together on a number of projects over the years and have proved that local issues come before party politics and individually held views.

"Thanks to the Scottish Government and all the other stakeholders that have worked towards this enabling of a Public Service Obligation for Wick, protecting jobs and ensuring Caithness is open for business."