PSO praises itself for 100% Wick-Aberdeen flights reliability in June – critics says it has ‘a long way to go’ to build back public confidence
A pressure group says it will take time to rebuild passenger confidence after past poor performances despite June figures showing 100 per cent reliability for Wick-Aberdeen flights.
Though the flight route, operated by Eastern Airways, is supported by funding from the Scottish Government and Highland Council under a public service obligation (PSO), there have been multiple complaints about the reliability of the service, with many flights cancelled at short notice.
This week, David Swanson, project officer for the PSO, shared “a very positive set of headline figures” that show the service had a perfect reliability score last month.
The figures show a total of 511 passengers using the service in June, and that none of the 52 scheduled flights were cancelled. There were just two delayed flights.
Wick and East Caithness councillor Raymond Bremner, who chairs the Wick John O’Groats Airport working group, said: “One of the key areas that the working group of the Wick PSO has been targeting is flight reliability.
“It’s good to see that we have seen increased reliability reaching 100 per cent for the month of June. It’s also been good that the weather has helped, given that in the summer we can often see delays and cancellations due to mist and fog.
“There is a lot of work that the PSO group is continuing to do in respect of what the service needs to look like going forward. We have managed to secure PSO funding for the past four years now, despite the challenges, and I’m keen to see us continue with a high percentage reliability rate going forward. It is a key factor in securing and building passenger confidence and numbers in the current service.”
Wick provost and local councillor Jan McEwan said: “Whilst I am pleased at the June PSO report, I have concerns regarding the employees and the future of the airport as there are now only half the flights there were last year. This could lead to a reduction in staff.
“I really would like some assurance that this will not happen. Also, I hope that this reliability will continue through the winter, when there are staff and mechanical issues, and that the Wick flights will be given priority by the provider, which will then increase the public’s faith in them.”
Jacqueline Innes from Reay started a group on Facebook called Eastern Airways - Caithness Tracker to seek “positive change” for those relying on the service, through the exchange of updates and information.
Mrs Innes stated: “It’s really good to see an improvement in the Wick–Aberdeen PSO service. All the flights went ahead in June, which is fantastic. There was just one day where one of the flights was an hour and 29 minutes late, and the second leg that day was about an hour late, so that was really the only significant delay. It’s definitely a step in the right direction, and credit where credit’s due.
“That said, timing and reliability are only part of the picture. A lot of people still feel unsure about the service overall. Slow refund times are still coming up often, and even though things have improved, it’ll take a while to rebuild trust in the route.
“There’s also some frustration that, despite the service being subsidised with around £1.3 million, there are less flights than previously.”
She feels that bringing back Friday morning flights would be a popular move and help build passenger confidence. “It would help with weekend trips and make onward connections more practical.
“At present, you don’t get into Aberdeen until around quarter past five, and by the time you’ve collected your bag and taken a taxi into the city, it’s closer to 6pm, so if you’re heading away for the weekend, most of the first day is effectively gone.”
Collating responses from her Facebook group, Mrs Innes says that many passengers agree with her, saying that “any morning flight would be welcome”.
She added: “Another comment that stuck with me was someone saying that flight times should reflect what end users actually need, not just what fits with Eastern Airways’ wider schedule.”
Laurence Campbell from Thurso criticised the service in an article published in the Groat in September last year, in which he criticised Eastern Airways for multiple delays.
“I’ve personally ditched it myself, as it’s not worth the stress. That said, if it continues to work as reliably as it is, then I may change my mind.”
