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.
