Wick airport could become a northern hub for flights in the Highlands and Islands if new airline gets launched
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Wick could become a northern hub for flights in the Highlands and Islands if a plan for a new airline gets off the ground.
Thomas Eccles, the managing director of FlyHighland, hopes his venture can be operational by 2024 and is going to have talks with the local authority next month about the possibility of a Wick to Edinburgh public service obligation (PSO) contract.
He is looking at using the Caithness airport to service routes to Kirkwall and Lerwick (Tingwall) or Sumburgh and Stornoway as well as connecting passengers from the Scottish capital and possibly Aberdeen on to Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides.
Mr Eccles, who has worked in the aviation sector for five years, said: "We are interested in using Wick as a northern hub to connect passengers from around the Highlands and Islands. This will bring some employment to the Wick area and boost the local economy by getting more people to the area with routes that have not been seen before or in quite a while.
"It would entail using Wick as a stopover for flights and allowing customers to connect. Wick is being looked at because it is the most northerly airport on the mainland. It is an excellent opportunity to bring the islands just that little bit closer together."
He added: "We have contacted Highland Council regarding a Wick to Edinburgh PSO contract. We are going to start talks in January. So far, my conversation with the Highland Council has been positive, and I look forward to what could be coming.
"We want to provide an essential air service to the Highlands and Islands at a price financially achievable by everyone. We are a not-for-profit organisation and want to make our tickets as accessible as possible for everyone to fly.
"We want to benefit the local communities and focus on growing business and providing a service that was not available before. We are planning on using small, efficient commuter aircraft on these routes."
Mr Eccles is hoping to raise an initial £250,000 to help get the project up and running and to get an air operator's licence, although he acknowledges it would cost around £3.5 million to get the two planes he wants to use for the routes.
But there are a few options available to the company. "We could lease an aircraft or we could have an asset finance company that will purchase the aircraft on our behalf and allow us to pay monthly for the aircraft," he said.
Mr Eccles added: "We plan to attend local events in the areas we will serve to show support and allow community members to have their say in what they want from an airline built for them. We also want to work with local businesses to gauge understanding of what they can benefit from the most.
"So far, we have received amazing feedback and messages of support. We hope to start some time in 2024. I have been advised that it is taking about six to 14 months for the air operator's certificate with an estimated cost of between £175,000 and £250,000," he said.
Mr Eccles has started a GoFundMe campaign with the aim of raising £250,000 and is not disappointed by only having received £61 from a handful of donors by midweek this week.
"I created it as a way for people who want to donate at this early stage to do so. There will be the opportunity for people to learn more about what we want to achieve for the Highlands and Islands and, of course, if they wish to, they can donate. I am confident we will raise the funds required," he said.
