Oban Airport
Chieftan o'the Pudden Race
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 1997
Location: Scotland usually, and often other parts of Europe
Age: 55
Posts: 826
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oban Airport
This story from the BBC Scotland website has to be good news for Scottish aviation, assuming anything comes of it, of course.
A new plan to provide scheduled air services to some of Scotland's smallest island communities has been announced by councillors.
Argyll and Bute Council has applied for a licence to open Oban Airport for commercial flights to islands such as Coll and Colonsay.
It will also allow links with Glasgow and Edinburgh airports.
The council is hoping the plan will attract support from the Scottish Executive and the European Union.
It said the move would open up the islands to daytrippers while making it easier for islanders, whose numbers have been falling in recent decades, to travel to the mainland.
Schoolchildren would be able to go home at weekends, while people needing to use vital services in Oban such as the town's hospital would also benefit from better access, a spokesman said.
Research funded by Argyll and the Islands Enterprise has shown strong support for using Oban's North Connel airstrip as an access point with potential links to Scotland's central belt and the rest of the UK.
The council said it had received "positive" early indications over the Code 2 application from the Civil Aviation Authority, who would have to approve any plan to operate commercial services.
It has called on the executive to stimulate the development of regular flights through a public service obligation, which would guarantee lifeline routes.
Public service obligation
Ian Gillies, who represents the islands of Coll and Tiree on the council, said air services were vital to the development of the islands.
He said: "Argyll and Bute Council is calling on the Scottish Executive to help make this happen and protect our islands from deprivation and depopulation.
"They can do this by granting a public service obligation on the routes we want to help establish."
Coll is currently accessible by a 2hrs 45mins ferry service from Oban which runs five days a week, making it unsuitable for day trips.
Colonsay's three-day-a-week service from Oban, via the neighbouring island of Islay, confounded attempts by the Scottish Parliament's Rural Development Committee to hold a meeting there.
The meeting - organised to highlight the difficulties of life in remote communities - was eventually scrapped in favour of a visit by a delegation of five MSPs who invited the whole island to lunch.
Colonsay's population has dipped below 100 in the last 10 years, while the number of inhabitants of Coll has fallen steadily over the last century and a half and currently stands at 172.
An executive spokesman said a detailed business case would need to be put forward before any form was governement assistance was offered.
He added that such a move would to be agreed by the European Commission.
A new plan to provide scheduled air services to some of Scotland's smallest island communities has been announced by councillors.
Argyll and Bute Council has applied for a licence to open Oban Airport for commercial flights to islands such as Coll and Colonsay.
It will also allow links with Glasgow and Edinburgh airports.
The council is hoping the plan will attract support from the Scottish Executive and the European Union.
It said the move would open up the islands to daytrippers while making it easier for islanders, whose numbers have been falling in recent decades, to travel to the mainland.
Schoolchildren would be able to go home at weekends, while people needing to use vital services in Oban such as the town's hospital would also benefit from better access, a spokesman said.
Research funded by Argyll and the Islands Enterprise has shown strong support for using Oban's North Connel airstrip as an access point with potential links to Scotland's central belt and the rest of the UK.
The council said it had received "positive" early indications over the Code 2 application from the Civil Aviation Authority, who would have to approve any plan to operate commercial services.
It has called on the executive to stimulate the development of regular flights through a public service obligation, which would guarantee lifeline routes.
Public service obligation
Ian Gillies, who represents the islands of Coll and Tiree on the council, said air services were vital to the development of the islands.
He said: "Argyll and Bute Council is calling on the Scottish Executive to help make this happen and protect our islands from deprivation and depopulation.
"They can do this by granting a public service obligation on the routes we want to help establish."
Coll is currently accessible by a 2hrs 45mins ferry service from Oban which runs five days a week, making it unsuitable for day trips.
Colonsay's three-day-a-week service from Oban, via the neighbouring island of Islay, confounded attempts by the Scottish Parliament's Rural Development Committee to hold a meeting there.
The meeting - organised to highlight the difficulties of life in remote communities - was eventually scrapped in favour of a visit by a delegation of five MSPs who invited the whole island to lunch.
Colonsay's population has dipped below 100 in the last 10 years, while the number of inhabitants of Coll has fallen steadily over the last century and a half and currently stands at 172.
An executive spokesman said a detailed business case would need to be put forward before any form was governement assistance was offered.
He added that such a move would to be agreed by the European Commission.
I do hope this plan comes to fruition. Not just for the communities concerned but for Paul Keegan who has turned Connel into an excellent GA airfield from what was really a council owned waste land. It just shows what someone with a bit of drive and acumen can do with an airfield that had been so neglected. I guess the problem here would be that the development of the Coll & Colonsay strips would need a lot of work as both are prone to waterlogging and one, I believe, is private property. Mind you, once the EU puts money in I suppose it won't be a problem.
Spiney
Spiney
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wonder if he will learn from the great marketing that Andy Bruce has done for Wick. He has captured 85% of the light fuel stop traffic across the Scotland / Iceland route by offering incentives to stop there.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: preston
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
connel
i once landed in a sar wessex at connel. it would be good for the area if this goes ahead. but dont forget the ill fated ft william helicopter service to glasgow in the late 70's and early 80's.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Scotland
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Findo,
I think 85% is kinda exaggerated, I regularly look after lights heading west and east at a well known central airport.
Aside from this I have always wondered if it had the facilities how campbeltown would do for fuel stops, I know its in the sticks and all but if people arent stopping in the country and just want fuel then...........
I think 85% is kinda exaggerated, I regularly look after lights heading west and east at a well known central airport.
Aside from this I have always wondered if it had the facilities how campbeltown would do for fuel stops, I know its in the sticks and all but if people arent stopping in the country and just want fuel then...........
Chieftan o'the Pudden Race
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 1997
Location: Scotland usually, and often other parts of Europe
Age: 55
Posts: 826
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oban/Connel
Anyone know what the short/medium term plans are for Oban airfield? I heard that HIAL were wanting to run services to GLA & EDI, have they got any operators lined up for any services?
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Coventry
Age: 48
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This journey can be done within a few hours by road or rail, so would that preclude the possibility of a PSO? I just can't see EDI or GLA being viable commercially, but would there be an inbound leisure market from somewhere a bit further away?
Flybe have been promising big things at INV and ABZ for ages. T runway doesn't look long enough for FR, so how about BE taking a leaf out of their book and calling it Inverness West?
Flybe have been promising big things at INV and ABZ for ages. T runway doesn't look long enough for FR, so how about BE taking a leaf out of their book and calling it Inverness West?
Chieftan o'the Pudden Race
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 1997
Location: Scotland usually, and often other parts of Europe
Age: 55
Posts: 826
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From what I have heard, the PSO will be available through the development of Coll & Colonsay airfields as part of the Oban project.
I the summer I could see Oban having huge potential for tourist traffic, but the runway is a bit limited at just over 1200m and mucky big mountain at one end of the airfield.
I the summer I could see Oban having huge potential for tourist traffic, but the runway is a bit limited at just over 1200m and mucky big mountain at one end of the airfield.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Australia
Posts: 2,242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When I worked for Loganair in the early seventies we used to fly charter and air ambulance to most of the islands and strips on the west coast. The viability of some kind of schedule for Oban was looked at a number of times but as it was a VFR only airport in those days, (possibly still is?), no service ever got off the ground as the weather factor was considered too influential. Also, it would be a very seasonal route but the operator would still be required to offer a service through the winter, likely to make a big loss!
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Sometimes north, sometimes south
Posts: 1,809
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
1 Post
Flypuppy:
They'd have to acquire or at least operate the airfield first and the Scottish Exec have already been warned off that option by a hugely negative reaction from aviators when it was first rumoured.
BlueEagle:
Probably before and after your time with LC but there was a Loganair schedule Glasgow-Oban-Mull 1967-68 and again 1975-76. Mainly Islanders but I think they also put Trislanders on when it got busy.
What's currently proposed is a multi-million redevelopment of Oban, Coll and Colonsay largely at European taxpayers expense, with a view to a scheduled service by Islander from Oban to the islands. However there is no indication that any airline wants to operate such a service nor that the islanders (at least on Colonsay) actually want a new airstrip or a scheduled service.
The consultants who drew up the report on the feasibility of licensing Oban actually proposed scheduled Jetstream operations off an 1100 metre runway which has a 760ft hill at 1nm final for runway 19 and which could never have an instrument approach procedure.
I'm just back from a flying weekend in Colonsay. Very nice it was too as long as you steer round the sheep and the rabbit holes.
NS
I heard that HIAL were wanting to run services to GLA & EDI
BlueEagle:
The viability of some kind of schedule for Oban was looked at a number of times but <snip> no service ever got off the ground
What's currently proposed is a multi-million redevelopment of Oban, Coll and Colonsay largely at European taxpayers expense, with a view to a scheduled service by Islander from Oban to the islands. However there is no indication that any airline wants to operate such a service nor that the islanders (at least on Colonsay) actually want a new airstrip or a scheduled service.
The consultants who drew up the report on the feasibility of licensing Oban actually proposed scheduled Jetstream operations off an 1100 metre runway which has a 760ft hill at 1nm final for runway 19 and which could never have an instrument approach procedure.
I'm just back from a flying weekend in Colonsay. Very nice it was too as long as you steer round the sheep and the rabbit holes.
NS
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Highlands
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flybe/Inverness no-go
Flybe have been promising big things at INV and ABZ for ages.
Thank you for your e-mail
I regret that flybe. have to yet to commit to this service. We were holding discussions with Inverness Airport, however following the start of flights from Bristol with one of our competitors, this has put our plans on hold for the meantime.
Apologies for any dissatisfaction felt.
Regards,
Customer Relations Admin
flybe.
A case of Stelios 1 - Flybe 0
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Australia
Posts: 2,242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
NorthSouth, yes I knew about the 1967/8 service as my time with LC was 1970/1973 but not the later effort so I was wrong to say 'never got off the ground"
but I think I'm right in saying that the service wasn't a commercial success!
but I think I'm right in saying that the service wasn't a commercial success!
The three airfields are owned by Argyll and Bute Council.
You could always apply for the post of Airport Manager that was advertised in Flight a few weeks ago and ask them what there plans are at the interview!
You could always apply for the post of Airport Manager that was advertised in Flight a few weeks ago and ask them what there plans are at the interview!
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Deep inth Norhtern Hills
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LEAVE OBAN AS IT IS!!!!!!!!
Its a real gem of a place with the best guys running it for GA!!!!!
Voted best airfield for the last 2 years by the readers of Flyer Magazine!!!!!!!!!
As for the HIAL geez!!! tried to land at Tiree a few months ago, mega place 3 runways, ATC, shed load of EU money lobbed in too boot, Only to be told that they close at 3 in the afternoon and you couldnt depart till ten in the morning.
Leave Oban to Paul and the boys, they no what is best!!!!!!!
Keep it Up
The BLACKPOOL Boys!!!!!
Its a real gem of a place with the best guys running it for GA!!!!!
Voted best airfield for the last 2 years by the readers of Flyer Magazine!!!!!!!!!
As for the HIAL geez!!! tried to land at Tiree a few months ago, mega place 3 runways, ATC, shed load of EU money lobbed in too boot, Only to be told that they close at 3 in the afternoon and you couldnt depart till ten in the morning.
Leave Oban to Paul and the boys, they no what is best!!!!!!!
Keep it Up
The BLACKPOOL Boys!!!!!
Chieftan o'the Pudden Race
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 1997
Location: Scotland usually, and often other parts of Europe
Age: 55
Posts: 826
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
North South,
I have it on fairly good authority that HIAL have already entered into negotiations with Argyll & Bute council over operating Oban, Coll and Colonsay. I think the negative reaction from the aviation community was completley ignored by all politicians involved.
Apparently there is £4.3 million of EU money earmarked for the project (for all 3 airfields).
Having flown into Oban a few times I cannot see how they could operate any form of regular service out of there unless they build a new runway at 90 degrees to the current one, to allow some kind of instrument approach.
I have it on fairly good authority that HIAL have already entered into negotiations with Argyll & Bute council over operating Oban, Coll and Colonsay. I think the negative reaction from the aviation community was completley ignored by all politicians involved.
Apparently there is £4.3 million of EU money earmarked for the project (for all 3 airfields).
Having flown into Oban a few times I cannot see how they could operate any form of regular service out of there unless they build a new runway at 90 degrees to the current one, to allow some kind of instrument approach.
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: sector 001
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fine words - which is what you would expect from the politicians.
Just hope the consultants know something about public transport operations and aircraft performance etc.
No doubt they will be discussing matters with the CAA at an early stage, and receive appropriate guidance.
Otherwise a waste of £6m - apart from what the consultants will gain from this exercise.
Just hope the consultants know something about public transport operations and aircraft performance etc.
No doubt they will be discussing matters with the CAA at an early stage, and receive appropriate guidance.
Otherwise a waste of £6m - apart from what the consultants will gain from this exercise.
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Broome
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
New Oban route starting
Is there any truth in the rumour that Highland Airways have won the Oban to Coll, Colonsay and Tiree route? Apparently it is starting in October and they are looking for Islander Pilots? Slight diversification from there norm but good for Oban and the surrounds if its true.
Navoff
Navoff