Air Charter Scotland has secured funding to continue operating the Wick-Aberdeen-Wick Public Service Obligation (PSO) route through to 14 August 2026, following a decision by Scotland’s ministers to allocate additional funds for the service.
The Glasgow-based operator began flying the lifeline route on 15 January after Eastern Airways ceased operations in October 2025, initially using a Beechcraft King Air 200 before adding an 18-seat Jetstream J32 on 1 March to increase capacity. The service operates Monday to Friday and Sunday.
“We are delighted with the news today,” said Derek Thomson, COO of Air Charter Scotland, adding that the timetable would be adjusted at the end of March in line with feedback from leisure passengers and the oil and gas sector.
Scotland’s minister for agriculture and connectivity, Jim Fairlie, said: “I am pleased to confirm additional funding for the Wick to Aberdeen air service until 14 August 2026, providing important connectivity for businesses and communities across Caithness.”
Highland Council leader Raymond Bremner said the extension would give the council and Air Charter Scotland an opportunity to grow the route further, particularly with the increased capacity introduced in March. However, he added that the council believed there was a requirement for air connectivity to the north of Scotland beyond August 2026 and that it had presented a full business case to Transport Scotland.
“The demise of Eastern Airways and subsequent failure of the previous Wick-Aberdeen route resulted in a real blow to passenger confidence, and Air Charter Scotland have done a fantastic job in their first few weeks of operation to regain confidence and grow numbers on the route,” Bremner said.
