Jamie Stone has called for more flights in and out of Wick to make up for “inadequate public transport on the ground”.
The Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross made his remarks in a House of Commons debate on Scotland’s transport links.
As things stand, Wick John O’Groats Airport has only one scheduled service – the Aberdeen route, operated by Eastern Airways under a public service obligation (PSO).
Mr Stone criticised the Scottish Government over its “neglect” of the Highlands and its failure to fulfil its promise on A9 dualling.
He argued that increased transport capacity was vital for the economic regeneration of the far north.
Speaking after the debate, Mr Stone said: “I’d say the SNP made a hash of transport in the far north, but I’m not sure they ever got started.
“I was in Holyrood when Alex Salmond promised the dualling of the A9, and when he promised the dualling of the A96. What a joke that has become – there are still traffic lights at the railway bridge at Oyne!
“If the Highlands is to attract economic investment, we need more flights in and out of Wick to compensate for the inadequate public transport on the ground.”
The Wick/Aberdeen flights are subsidised by a PSO funded annually by Highland Council (£300,000) and the Scottish Government (£1 million) over three years from April 2022.
According to Highland Council, discussions are ongoing with the government agency Transport Scotland regarding funding until March 2026, “along with a long-term development plan for services beyond that date”.
Changes to the Wick/Aberdeen schedule introduced in October are said to have resulted in fewer cancellations and an increase in passenger numbers.
During the debate, Mr Stone said: “Although the Aberdeen flight to Wick is welcome, we need flights to Edinburgh and Bristol and to wherever we can get them. That will make all the difference…
“Please can we get more flights in and out of Wick airport? We need them desperately.”