Airline accused of ‘not caring about Wick’ after late cancellation
A frustrated passenger has accused Eastern Airways of “not caring about Wick” after the late cancellation of a flight to Aberdeen.
Jackie Miller believes a lack of reliability is undermining the “use it or lose it” message designed to promote the route.
A continuation of the Wick/Aberdeen public service obligation (PSO) was announced in February after the Scottish Government confirmed vital funding would remain in place.
Eastern Airways’ current timetable has flights from Wick at 10.45am and 6.20pm, Monday to Friday, as well as one on Sunday.
Mr Miller and his wife Fiona were due to fly from Wick on the mid-morning flight last Friday for a weekend break in Aberdeen. Their tickets had been booked more than four months ago.
The couple say they received a message on Thursday night saying the flight would be delayed until 12.55pm on Friday.
“I phoned Eastern Airways’ head office and a guy said no, there are no problems up in Wick at all. He said that flight was definitely scheduled for going off on Friday morning,” said Mr Miller, who works part-time at a garage and helps with a local taxi business.
“Then we were making up to the airport on Friday morning and the phone rang, and this was them at the airport saying that the flight was cancelled.”
Mr and Mrs Miller were offered an evening flight instead, which they accepted.
“We went back home and sat in the house for a while and I phoned head office again and they said it was technicalities,” Mr Miller said.
“I said, ‘You’re telling us to use it or lose it. Everyone is trying their damnedest to help keep the business afloat up here. Now you’re using taxis and those taxis are £500 for four people to go to Aberdeen.’
“They just said it could be down to staffing. The guy said problems can occur now and again. I said it’s occurring too often.
“We went off on the flight at night and what did they put on? A 72-seat plane for 19 people.”
Mr Miller said he understood that flights had been cancelled “four or five times” last week. “They’re using taxis when they are subsidised, so they should get fined for not putting a plane on,” he said.
“It was January 21st or 22nd that we booked those flights. It’s not like we just booked them two or three days beforehand.
“I would like to let people know what’s going on because it’s just ridiculous. I can understand when it’s fog, that’s a different kettle of fish.
“We were only off for a couple of days but it’s very frustrating. They’re not caring about Wick.
“It’s not that long ago that we had it in our local paper, ‘use it or lose it’.”
The couple cancelled a restaurant booking for Friday evening when it became clear they would be arriving in Aberdeen too late. There were no problems with the return flight on Sunday.
“We cancelled the restaurant but managed to get back in there on the Saturday, which was lucky,” Mr Miller said.
“We didn’t get to Aberdeen until night-time. By the time we got to the hotel it was about eight o’clock.
“It was an eight-hour delay before you got from A to B. It’s not a way to work. It’s not reliable.”
Eastern Airways and the Wick PSO project officer have been approached for comment.
Last week leaflets from Eastern Airways were delivered to local households to promote the Wick/Aberdeen service, offering one-way flights from £54.99 and giving details of onward European destinations.
