Scottish essential air route gets a lifeline

Air Charter Scotland will take over as the operator of record for the public service obligation air route.

Its future has been in jeopardy since Eastern Airways went into administration.

Highland Council opened an emergency procurement process last month to find a new operator.

The route is subsidized jointly by the Highland Council and the Scottish government.

Air Charter Scotland will fly the route six days a week from mid-January on a 18-seat Jetstream aircraft.

Connectivity Minister Jim Fairlie said the Scottish government understands how important the route is for rural connectivity and the local Wick economy.

Highland Council said it was exploring the option of extending the contract to include flights from Wick to Edinburgh.