Plan for flights connecting Wick with Aberdeen and Edinburgh

Following Eastern Airways’ November administration and the suspension of regular Wick–Aberdeen flights, Highland Council has invited operators to bid for a subsidised public service obligation contract to run an initial two‑year Wick–Aberdeen and Wick–Edinburgh service, with the aim of restoring and expanding connectivity as early as next year. The PSO would be supported by the council and the Scottish government; council leader Raymond Bremner called the tender a “major step” and highlighted local demand for direct Edinburgh services. Transport Scotland is reviewing the council’s business case and said it will confirm next steps in due course, with implications for regional access and the local economy.

Analysis

Eastern Airways entered administration in November, which immediately grounded scheduled Wick–Aberdeen services and prompted Highland Council to publish an invitation for operators to bid for a subsidised public service obligation (PSO) contract to operate Wick–Aberdeen and a proposed Wick–Edinburgh route. The council and Scottish government would support an initial two‑year contract, with officials signalling the aim of restoring and expanding connectivity as early as next year. Council leader Raymond Bremner described the tender as a "major step" and flagged clear local demand for a direct Edinburgh connection.

Transport Scotland is currently reviewing Highland Council's business case and has not yet committed to next steps, leaving the timing and identity of any successor carrier uncertain; available sentiment indicators classify the news as mildly positive with low broader market impact. The development matters for regional access, airport throughput at Wick John O' Groats, and short‑term revenue prospects for any operator or service providers tied to the route. Restoration of services would support local economic activity, but the two‑year horizon limits visibility on sustained demand and longer‑term commercial viability.

Key near‑term risks are the outcome and timing of the procurement, potential delays from Transport Scotland review, and operational ramp‑up by a new carrier if appointed. Investors should therefore treat the announcement as a policy‑driven regional support story rather than a material catalyst for national transport equities until the PSO is awarded and contracted services commence. Ongoing monitoring of the tender award, contract terms and projected service start date will be necessary to refine any exposure to regional aviation or airport service providers.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Monitor the PSO tender outcome and Transport Scotland's decision as the primary catalysts; treat contract award and confirmed start date as the trigger to reassess exposure to regional aviation and airport services
• Avoid initiating material long positions in regional carriers or airport suppliers until the operator is selected and contract terms are public, given uncertainty around timing and the initial two‑year contract horizon
• If the PSO is awarded with explicit Scottish government and council support and a clear start date, consider modest tactical exposure to firms directly servicing Wick airport (ground handling, catering, regional maintenance) while maintaining position limits
• Watch for signs of sustained demand or extensions beyond the two‑year PSO as the metric for converting short‑term tactical positions into longer‑term investments