Air Charter Scotland Wins PSO for First Scheduled Route

Air Charter Scotland is set to enter the scheduled airline market for the first time after securing the Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract for the Wick–Aberdeen Dyce air service. The award marks a significant milestone for the Perth-based operator, which has until now focused exclusively on business aviation and charter operations.

The new route will connect Wick John O’Groats Airport with Aberdeen Dyce Airport, restoring a vital air link for the far north of Scotland. Flights are scheduled to begin on January 12, 2025, operating six times per week. The service is intended to support regional connectivity, business travel, and access to essential services, particularly during the winter months.

At launch, Air Charter Scotland will wet-lease an 18-seat BAe Jetstream 32 turboprop from AIS Airlines. The Dutch carrier currently operates three aircraft of the type. According to a spokesperson for Air Charter Scotland, the airline plans to induct a Jetstream 32 into its own air operator’s certificate (AOC) in the longer term, with the certification process expected to take between four and six months. The aircraft could be sourced from AIS Airlines or from an alternative provider, although no final decision has yet been confirmed.

The Jetstream 32 used on the route will be based at Wick, ensuring early-morning departures and operational reliability for passengers travelling to and from Aberdeen. Air Charter Scotland declined to comment on whether it intends to acquire one of AIS Airlines’ existing aircraft or source a different example for in-house operations.

The PSO contract has been awarded for an initial period of two and a half months, running until the end of March 2026, when the current public funding allocation expires. The Highland Council, which oversees the scheme, said the agreement is subject to extension once further funding is secured.

The Wick–Aberdeen route was previously operated by Eastern Airways, but has remained unserved since the airline ceased operations on the route following its collapse in late October 2025. Wick currently has no other scheduled air services, and the nearest mainland airport with regular flights, Inverness Airport, is approximately 115 kilometres to the south.

Air Charter Scotland’s move into scheduled services represents a strategic expansion of its business model. The airline operates a UK-registered fleet including a Citation Jet 2, Citation Latitude, Legacy 500, and Legacy 650. Its Maltese subsidiary, Air Charter Scotland Europe, operates two Challenger 350s and two Citation Excels. The operator applied for a Type A operating licence and route licence for the PSO service on December 15, underlining its longer-term commitment to regional scheduled flying.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com