Wick
Joined: Apr 2010
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 843
Likes: 16
From: London
I wonder if it might be better for the Wickers if they forget the idea of a direct Aberdeen flight and have a few flights with the islander from Wick to Kirkwall and back at times to connect with the Kirkwall flights to and from Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh. There seems to more than enough space on the ATRs, The SF34s had empty seats a lot of the time anyway. There used to be islander flights to and from wick years ago.
Wick - Kirkwall and onwards is an elegant solution - should satisfy the island* lobbies who retain their non stop flights, and gives Wick a lifeline. (*Except when Wick is fogbound, which used to happen a lot in the summer.)
Joined: Apr 2010
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 843
Likes: 16
From: London
Highland Council has updated the PSO to include Wick - Edinburgh services.
I doubt Wick Airport will see scheduled services before the start of this PSO.
https://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/flights-to-edinburgh-included-in-open-tender-for-wick-pso-fl-422179/]The contract specification seeks an operator to offer services from Wick to both Aberdeen and Edinburgh, on an initial two-year basis
Might this be enough to tempt Loganair back...
I doubt Wick Airport will see scheduled services before the start of this PSO.
https://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/flights-to-edinburgh-included-in-open-tender-for-wick-pso-fl-422179/]The contract specification seeks an operator to offer services from Wick to both Aberdeen and Edinburgh, on an initial two-year basis
Might this be enough to tempt Loganair back...
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 818
Likes: 117
From: Cardiff
Highland Council has updated the PSO to include Wick - Edinburgh services.
I doubt Wick Airport will see scheduled services before the start of this PSO.
https://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/flights-to-edinburgh-included-in-open-tender-for-wick-pso-fl-422179/]The contract specification seeks an operator to offer services from Wick to both Aberdeen and Edinburgh, on an initial two-year basis
Might this be enough to tempt Loganair back...
I doubt Wick Airport will see scheduled services before the start of this PSO.
https://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/flights-to-edinburgh-included-in-open-tender-for-wick-pso-fl-422179/]The contract specification seeks an operator to offer services from Wick to both Aberdeen and Edinburgh, on an initial two-year basis
Might this be enough to tempt Loganair back...
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,405
Likes: 31
From: LV
….but the logistics of essentially being paid to include EDI will have changed making anything out of Wick (slightly) more appealing. EDI was not included last time. Regardless - still chucking it down a money pit.
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 282
Likes: 38
From: Godalming
The PSO states a 30-50 seat aircraft is necessary; LM only have ATR42s & ERJ145s that fit this capacity range.
Do/Would they have the necessary resources to fulfil the contract since taking on the JER base following the demise of Blue Islands?
Do/Would they have the necessary resources to fulfil the contract since taking on the JER base following the demise of Blue Islands?
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 314
From: UK
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 81
Likes: 22
From: .
From memory the 145's struggle for performance in the wet at Wick, although that may be based on a full load which might not exactly be an issue!
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 314
From: UK
With a declared LDA of about 1,410m on each end, anyone seriously contemplating regular E145 operations into Wick should be sectioned under the Mental Health Act. It's fine for an ATR and maybe even an E135, but not an E145.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 818
Likes: 117
From: Cardiff
Clearly there is much going on
1) Last time this went out to tender, there were separate tenders for Aberdeen and Edinburgh and Loganair declined to bid for Edinburgh
2) There have been talks with Loganair for the temporary operation of Aberdeen which appear to have been unsuccessful.
3) The two routes have now been packaged together and operational flexibility is now planned. This is a tender that has been designed with a particular airline in mind.
4) There aren’t many airline options!
1) Last time this went out to tender, there were separate tenders for Aberdeen and Edinburgh and Loganair declined to bid for Edinburgh
2) There have been talks with Loganair for the temporary operation of Aberdeen which appear to have been unsuccessful.
3) The two routes have now been packaged together and operational flexibility is now planned. This is a tender that has been designed with a particular airline in mind.
4) There aren’t many airline options!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,270
Likes: 18
From: Europe
What is the legal situation post-Brexit regarding PSO-tenders? While in the common market airlines from all member states need to be given equal rights when it comes to PSOs, must the funder now give UK airlines priority?
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 30
Likes: 5
From: U.K.
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 786
Likes: 8
From: London
Apparently from the Eastern Airways pprune page..........
Eastern Airways has been bought for £6 million by startup 'EcoJetAir'
Intention is to operate under Air Kilroe with Jetstreams and then expand to almost replicate the former fleet of ATR's and E190s...
Maybe there is hope for Wick Airport
Eastern Airways has been bought for £6 million by startup 'EcoJetAir'
Intention is to operate under Air Kilroe with Jetstreams and then expand to almost replicate the former fleet of ATR's and E190s...
Maybe there is hope for Wick Airport
Joined: Feb 2024
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 523
Likes: 258
From: Aylesbury
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 319
Likes: 44
From: UK
PSO awarded to Air Charter Scotland operated by AIS Airlines on a Jetstream 32.
https://share.google/HIzfwoduPxcBKAAHL
https://share.google/HIzfwoduPxcBKAAHL