Isle of Skye & Oban Air Services
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Isle of Skye & Oban Air Services
Now that Highland Council has cancelled their agreement with West Highland Air Transport, where now for Ashaig? Is there any prospect that the council will redevelop Ashaig themselves a la Arglye Council at Oban? It is indeed time the council got their finger out and got Ashaig operational, even if only the current 700m strip, as the area is crying out for an air service to the central belt.
As for Oban, good to see the runway has been resurfaced and an NDB/DME being installed. The council have always maintained that the airfield will be leased to an operator once it is licensed, but who will operate it? I cannot see any current Airline within Scotland being interested in operating an airfrield, or indeed operating from there as it will require a fair investment in suitable aircraft and personnel. An operation based out of Glasgow might work, but god knows who will take it on, certainly Loganair will not, and Highland I doubt would be suitable as they pulled out of operations from Glasgow in the past.
One thing is for sure, interesting times ahead in the Highlands & Islands.
As for Oban, good to see the runway has been resurfaced and an NDB/DME being installed. The council have always maintained that the airfield will be leased to an operator once it is licensed, but who will operate it? I cannot see any current Airline within Scotland being interested in operating an airfrield, or indeed operating from there as it will require a fair investment in suitable aircraft and personnel. An operation based out of Glasgow might work, but god knows who will take it on, certainly Loganair will not, and Highland I doubt would be suitable as they pulled out of operations from Glasgow in the past.
One thing is for sure, interesting times ahead in the Highlands & Islands.
Last edited by Airlink Scotland; 7th Nov 2006 at 06:09.
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Skye & Oban Air Services
Can anyone tell us how long it will be before Oban becomes fully operational ready to accept some sort of scheduled service.
As said navigational aids are contracted to be installed but will any airline take up any routes without substancial financial grant aid etc?
As said navigational aids are contracted to be installed but will any airline take up any routes without substancial financial grant aid etc?
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New Air Services
Oban will be licensed in time for Summer 08. The council want a third party to operate the airfield on their behalf, whether the airfield operator will also an Air Service Operator remains to be seen, but I doubt it.
There will be grants and other incentives available. One of the first contracts to awarded will the 'school run'. Maybe Directflight will be interested, just have to wait and see.
If SETA ever get the ludicrous rules for SEIFR changed that would be great news for this and other small airfields around the UK, but mainly for Scotland. The Western Isles would benefit greatly from an aircraft such as the Cessna Caravan. Trust me, new routes would be opened up practically overnight.
There will be grants and other incentives available. One of the first contracts to awarded will the 'school run'. Maybe Directflight will be interested, just have to wait and see.
If SETA ever get the ludicrous rules for SEIFR changed that would be great news for this and other small airfields around the UK, but mainly for Scotland. The Western Isles would benefit greatly from an aircraft such as the Cessna Caravan. Trust me, new routes would be opened up practically overnight.
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Thanks Airlink
Has anyone any idea about whether or not single engine IFR operation is being looked at or is it just wishful thinking? In view of the high ground round about OBAN how will this effect producing an IFR let down procedure for this airfield?
Has anyone any idea about whether or not single engine IFR operation is being looked at or is it just wishful thinking? In view of the high ground round about OBAN how will this effect producing an IFR let down procedure for this airfield?
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A correction to my previou post, I believe Oban is to be licenced in time for Summer next year, thats 2007.
Lifes2good, Single Engine IFR for public transport operations will happen in the UK, its a matter of when rather than if. The problem is if it does not happen soon then investment in infrustructure which is happening now and planned for the next year or so may be in vain. Oban, Coll, Skye, perhaps even Barra will depend on the success of SETA.
Your other question about an Instrument Approach Procedure at Oban. The area to the South of the field is relatively clear of high ground, but the overshoot area may be a problem. If this is the case then it will be a 'cloud break' procedure only, that is an Instrument let down which does not align with any landing runway and therefore will have a higher minima to allow for a visual circling segment. This is an acceptable form of instrument approach, but during the winter months will result in more diversions. However, we shall have to wait and see what the approach procedure is after the beacon is installed.
Hope this answers your questions.
If anyone has any useful information about anything happening in the Western Isles/West Highlands, please share.
Lifes2good, Single Engine IFR for public transport operations will happen in the UK, its a matter of when rather than if. The problem is if it does not happen soon then investment in infrustructure which is happening now and planned for the next year or so may be in vain. Oban, Coll, Skye, perhaps even Barra will depend on the success of SETA.
Your other question about an Instrument Approach Procedure at Oban. The area to the South of the field is relatively clear of high ground, but the overshoot area may be a problem. If this is the case then it will be a 'cloud break' procedure only, that is an Instrument let down which does not align with any landing runway and therefore will have a higher minima to allow for a visual circling segment. This is an acceptable form of instrument approach, but during the winter months will result in more diversions. However, we shall have to wait and see what the approach procedure is after the beacon is installed.
Hope this answers your questions.
If anyone has any useful information about anything happening in the Western Isles/West Highlands, please share.
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Oban
Airlink so who is now running Oban is Paul K still there or is there someone running the show from the recent adverts. Did the Float Plane company over on the west ever come over that way?
Thanks for the replies
Thanks for the replies
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Broadford (Isle Of Skye) Aerodrome
There have been increased surveys and support for the reopening of the aerodrome on Skye and also a support group on facebook of nearly 1500 people and associated website. The campaign is aiming at HIAL to take over the site and hopefully get them to launch services of Glasgow with a bit of luck!
https://www.facebook.com/FlySkye.co.uk
Fly Skye ? Campaigning for the reintroduction of air links to the Isle of Skye
I believe the runway is 2601ft (793m), so Islander, Twin Otter and even Dash 8's could operate into the aerodrome! Would be a useful route for leisure seekers like myself, instead of a long drive or complex train hopping
https://www.facebook.com/FlySkye.co.uk
Fly Skye ? Campaigning for the reintroduction of air links to the Isle of Skye
I believe the runway is 2601ft (793m), so Islander, Twin Otter and even Dash 8's could operate into the aerodrome! Would be a useful route for leisure seekers like myself, instead of a long drive or complex train hopping
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There have been renewed calls to try and have the airfield reopened and it made the front page of the times the other day. I read some of the previous report and it says it could handle 12 weekly flights to Glasgow with a dhc6 or a dornier 228. If a dornier was used I would have thought a handful of flights a week to London might work for commuter types or adventure sport/weekend breaks.
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LOGICAL, it would be just under three hours flying in a Dornier 228 to London which would likely be neither comfortable nor profitable (bear in mind airport fees on the other end). Aurigny looked at sending a 228 into London City last year and assessed that it would be so costly that they waited until they could firm up the lease on an ATR 42.
Much more likely that a gap would be found in the new Twin Otters' schedule to operate from Glasgow, or (more likely still) that Skye would be added to the existing Hebridean operation out of Connel.
Much more likely that a gap would be found in the new Twin Otters' schedule to operate from Glasgow, or (more likely still) that Skye would be added to the existing Hebridean operation out of Connel.
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There would be no next to no demand for flights from Oban to Skye. They're in different council areas so there would be no non-leisure traffic.
If there's any future for Skye it would be flights to Edinburgh or Glasgow.
If there's any future for Skye it would be flights to Edinburgh or Glasgow.
From the Oban Times 11/11/2011
"At Highland Council’s Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee meeting on Wednesday, councillors approved a 104-page business plan to reopen the Broadford Airfield in Ashaig and committed up to £30,000 over the next two years to deal with the critical aspects of taking the project forward."...........
"Councillors were told estimated passenger numbers between Glasgow and Skye every year could be as high as 23,800 and that operating a 19-seat Twin Otter aircraft would be the best value option.
The report also revealed the £39.7 million and £46.8 million benefit of a regular scheduled service to the economies of the island and the wider com*munities of Lochalsh and Wester
Ross would outweigh the £39.7 million to £46.8 million costs of redevelopment over 30 years.
MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch Kate Forbes said: ‘I am really excited about the prospect of reopening the airport on Skye. We’ve already got the basic infrastructure there and now several commissioned reports have confirmed the enormous benefits of direct flights to Skye.’ "
"At Highland Council’s Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee meeting on Wednesday, councillors approved a 104-page business plan to reopen the Broadford Airfield in Ashaig and committed up to £30,000 over the next two years to deal with the critical aspects of taking the project forward."...........
"Councillors were told estimated passenger numbers between Glasgow and Skye every year could be as high as 23,800 and that operating a 19-seat Twin Otter aircraft would be the best value option.
The report also revealed the £39.7 million and £46.8 million benefit of a regular scheduled service to the economies of the island and the wider com*munities of Lochalsh and Wester
Ross would outweigh the £39.7 million to £46.8 million costs of redevelopment over 30 years.
MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch Kate Forbes said: ‘I am really excited about the prospect of reopening the airport on Skye. We’ve already got the basic infrastructure there and now several commissioned reports have confirmed the enormous benefits of direct flights to Skye.’ "
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TangoAlphad
Yip, tell them what they want to hear and then sit back and wait for the follow-on contract! Licence to print money (wish I'd thought of it, however even I have morals)
Yip, tell them what they want to hear and then sit back and wait for the follow-on contract! Licence to print money (wish I'd thought of it, however even I have morals)
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I'm all for transport; transport is good. Skye should have an airport again.
But I do doubt the numbers. I'm not convinced each person arriving at it would bring thousands of pounds of benefit to the region. Aren't most of the people going to be kids that moved to places where there's work going back to see their parents, and generally just people that would mostly otherwise have been on the bus instead?
But I do doubt the numbers. I'm not convinced each person arriving at it would bring thousands of pounds of benefit to the region. Aren't most of the people going to be kids that moved to places where there's work going back to see their parents, and generally just people that would mostly otherwise have been on the bus instead?
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@TangoAlphad
Given the conventional way of counting, I suppose the figure is for passengers on the route, not just in one direction. That puts the estimate closer to 32 passengers/day in each direction or two daily roundtrips with a 84 per cent load factor. I guess similar to destinations like Campbeltown.
Given the conventional way of counting, I suppose the figure is for passengers on the route, not just in one direction. That puts the estimate closer to 32 passengers/day in each direction or two daily roundtrips with a 84 per cent load factor. I guess similar to destinations like Campbeltown.
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anything which improves the inter island connectivity is good
And then, given that the EU will shortly be out of the picture, where will the subsidy come from? The subsidy for the Oban air services is £1.5m a year.
