Regional air traffic plays a key role in keeping Scotland connected. While flights within the country typically involve its many islands, a link to its (and the UK's) northernmost mainland airport has also now been restored. Flights commenced a week ago, with Eastern Airways now linking Aberdeen with Wick Airport.

A two-year hiatus

Wick John O'Groats Airport (WIC) is a small facility serving the county of Caithness. The two settlements that give it its name are known for being among the most northerly in mainland Great Britain. Indeed, John O'Groats in particular often marks the endpoint for cyclists traveling from one end of the country to the other.

The geographical extremity of Wick John O'Groats Airport means that its location is fairly isolated. Therefore, a consistent aerial link to Scotland's larger transport hubs is an important factor in keeping the region connected. Before its recent operational hiatus, Scottish carrier Loganair had served the airport from 1976 to 2020.

However, on March 27th that year, just after the UK went into its first coronavirus-induced lockdown, Loganair operated its final flight on the Wick-Edinburgh route. It continued serving Aberdeen for a further three months, with these flights ceasing on June 19th, 2020. After this, Wick Airport was cut off for nearly two years.

Wick Aberdeen Map
Flying offers a far more direct route between Wick and Aberdeen. Image: Google Maps

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Back in action

With many aspects of commercial aviation now starting to bounce back from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, Wick Airport is now open to paying passengers once again. One week ago, on April 11th, Eastern Airways operated the first scheduled flights on a new route connecting the facility with Aberdeen Airport.

These services are currently operating up to twice a day, with the 40-minute flights leaving Wick at 10:40 and 17:50. Flights from Aberdeen to Wick leave the 'Granite City' at 09:30 and 16:40, and also have a scheduled duration of 40 minutes (although the time spent airborne can be in the region of just 25 minutes). UK Aviation News Quotes Eastern Airways MD Adam Wheatley as stating that:

"[The route] helps avoid one of the most distant surface transport journeys in Scotland and the wide array of onward connectivity available, in a low emission aircraft, fits our belief in how sustainable aviation can meet the need of the UK economy and extensive connectivity into the future."

Terminal,_Wick_John_OGroats_Airport_(geograph_5532275)
The MP for the Wick area wants to see other destinations added to the airport's offering. Photo: Alan Reid via Wikimedia Commons

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Looking further afield

According to Aberdeen Airport, April 25th will see a key change to the service, with the introduction of an early-morning departure between Monday and Wednesday. Tickets for the flights, which are operated by 29-seat British Aerospace Jetstream 41 turboprop aircraft, start as low as £39.99 ($52.03) each way.

The return of scheduled air services has been welcomed by the Caithness region, with its MP, Jamie Stone, noting that "people have waited a long time for this day to come." According to the John O'Groat Journal, Stone wants to see even greater connectivity. Regarding a potential expansion to Edinburgh or Glasgow, he states that he "will continue to work with all stakeholders to make this a reality."

What do you make of Wick Airport's reopening? Have you ever visited the facility? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

Sources: Aberdeen Airport, John O'Groat Journal, UK Aviation News