'More important than ever' to save Wick air routes, says Highland MSP
SAVING air routes to and from Wick will be "more important than ever" due to the economic damage caused by coronavirus, a Highlands and Islands MSP has said.
Labour's David Stewart spoke out this week as he urged the Scottish Government to look seriously at the case for a public service obligation (PSO) for flights from the Caithness airport.
He said it is vital the routes to Aberdeen and Edinburgh are saved. Not having them "does not bear thinking about," said the MSP.
Mr Stewart is backing a pledge by Scotland's transport secretary Michael Matheson to support economic recovery within the transport sector and the wider economy. Mr Matheson outlined in parliament the government’s Covid-19 Transport Transition Plan which will be phased in as Scotland eases restrictions on the lockdown.
Mr Matheson described the plan as the start of "an ongoing conversation" and said the Scottish Government "must continue to engage with partners across the sector and beyond".
Mr Stewart called on Mr Matheson to look in detail at the campaign by Caithness Chamber of Commerce to protect Wick’s air routes to Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
He said: "Caithness and Sutherland cannot be left without air links when restrictions end but it’s hard to see how these will survive unless the Scottish Government backs an aid package.
"This area’s economy relies not only on bus, rail and road links but also on air links, bringing in tourists and workers.
"The very thought of going backwards without this essential aviation connection does not bear thinking about."
Mr Stewart wrote to Mr Matheson and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon after Loganair announced the axing of its Edinburgh/Wick service on Friday, March 27.
The MSP also asked the Scottish Government for swift action following the collapse of Flybe when the Wick/Aberdeen route was taken over by Eastern Airways which ran it under a franchise for Flybe. Mr Stewart argued that the Wick/Aberdeen service was fragile due to falling passenger numbers.
Mr Matheson has previously said the Scottish Government is considering carefully the business case submitted by Caithness Chamber of Commerce.
A PSO, under European Union transport law, is a permitted state aid which maintains scheduled air services on routes vital for the economic development of the region they serve.
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