Airline steps in to revive former Eastern Airways lifeline route 

A lifeline air route in northern Scotland lost with the demise of Eastern Airways is to return in the new year.

Air Charter Scotland is to start its first scheduled service between Aberdeen and Wick after securing a contract with the Highland Council to operate it as a Public Service Obligation (PSO) route.

The Glasgow-based airline will take over the service suspended with the collapse of Eastern Airways in October using a leased 18-seat BAe Jetstream 32 aircraft.

Flights are set to resume on January 12, with bookings going live from January 6. One-way fares start at £74.99. 

The service will operate six days a week excluding Saturdays from Wick, where the aircraft will be based.  

The airline’s chief operating officer Derek Thomson said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the Wick-Aberdeen-Wick PSO air service and are proud to support the Caithness community by keeping this vital air link flying, providing a critical lifeline air service the region can be truly proud of.”