Air Charter Scotland restores Wick-Aberdeen-Wick lifeline air link

Friday 16th January 2026

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Air Charter Scotland operated the first of six weekly return flights between Wick to Aberdeen yesterday, 14 January, on time, and to schedule, restoring vital connectivity to the far north of Scotland.

 

Celebrating the return of the Public Service Obligation route,  together with Air Charter Scotland CCO Derek Thomson at Wick John O’Groats Airport were some 20 Caithness and Wick community dignitaries, including Cllrs for Wick and East Caithness Jan McEwan MBE, Lib Dem, Provost of Wick and  Raymond Bremner , SNP,  Leader of the Highland Council.    Representatives from the  North Highland Chamber of Commerce ,  Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, Focus North, and Highlands & Islands Enterprise also attended.

 

The route commenced with the Beechcraft King Air 200 business turboprop, from UK operator DragonFly.  A larger Jetstream J32, operated and crewed by AIS Airlines from the Netherlands on a wet lease capacity, which was to have commenced the route, will now take over from 1st March when Home Office/Border Force rules relax on the use of EU operators flying for UK airlines.  

 

Air Charter Scotland, revered in the executive jet market,  is underlining its commitment to expanding into regular air service flying as it seeks to add the J32 to its own Air Operator Certificate and expands to A Class operator status.

 

“We are delighted to have accomplished the first flights yesterday, as promised and are hugely grateful to fellow on demand operator Dragonfly Executive, their crew and their adaptability in helping us deliver the service as pledged.  I’d also like to especially thank Head of Licensing David Kendrick and his team at the UK CAA for working closely with us to get this important route up and running so swiftly,” said Derek Thomson.

 

Passengers enjoyed the King Air experience, he added.  “The Beechcraft King Air is legendary in the business aviation world as a trusted, go anywhere turboprop - still in production today and a valued pathfinder to bigger aircraft into the summer.”

 

Councillor Raymond Bremner, Leader of The Highland Council, Chair of the Wick John O’ Groats Airport Consultative Committee and local member for Wick and East Caithness commented:

“Having a reliable air link from the far north to central Scotland is key to growing our local economy, improving connectivity and supporting the sustainability of our communities.  While  we faced an unexpected challenge in recent days, partners have once again worked collaboratively to overcome it and ensure the continuation of this vital service. I would like to thank council officers, Air Charter Scotland and all other agencies and partners for their tireless efforts to ensure services recommence on 14 January 2026.”

 

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Schedule of Services

The following schedule operational from 14 January 2026:

WIC → ABZ (Mon – Thurs) Depart 08:00 Arrive 08:55

ABZ → WIC Depart 09:30 Arrive 10:25

WIC → ABZ (Fri) Depart 18:00 Arrive 18:55

ABZ → WIC Depart 19:30 Arrive 20:25

WIC → ABZ (Sun) Depart 15:00 Arrive 15:55

ABZ → WIC Depart 16:30 Arrive 17:25