Air Charter Scotland has kicked off its first-ever scheduled passenger service, linking Aberdeen and Wick with daily flights that started on January 14, 202B.
The Perth-based operator is running the route with a nine-seat King Air 200 (G-MEGN) wet-leased from Dragonfly Aviation Services after regulatory hurdles blocked the original plan to use a BAe Jetstream 31 with Dutch crew from AIS Airlines.
Why the Route Matters Now
Wick lost its direct air link to Aberdeen when Eastern Airways pulled out several years ago. Locals and businesses have relied on long drives or connecting flights through Inverness ever since.
The new service cuts travel time to under an hour. For Caithness residents, that means same-day business trips to Aberdeen are possible again. Hospital appointments, supply-chain workers heading to the oil hub, and families visiting relatives just became far easier.
“This route is a genuine lifeline,” said Malcolm MacLeod, general manager at Wick John O’Groats Airport. “We’ve been fighting for this for years.”
King Air Steps In
The original plan was to launch with an 18-seat Jetstream 31 crewed by AIS Airlines pilots. But current UK rules prevent foreign-licensed crews from operating domestic commercial flights on non-UK registered aircraft.
Air Charter Scotland quickly secured the King Air 200 from Dragonfly Aviation Services at London Luton. The aircraft arrived in Scotland just days before launch.
The twin-turboprop King Air seats nine passengers and is flown by UK-licensed pilots. It will operate the route until the end of February.
From March 1, 2026, new legislation comes into force allowing foreign crews to operate domestic services for UK carriers. At that point, Air Charter Scotland expects to switch back to the larger Jetstream or similar 18-19 seat equipment.
Schedule and Fares
Flights run twice daily on weekdays and once each way on weekends.
Sample timetable (local times):
- Aberdeen to Wick: 08:30 and 16:30 (Mon-Fri), 11:00 (Sat/Sun)
- Wick to Aberdeen: 10:00 and 18:00 (Mon-Fri), 13:00 (Sat/Sun)
One-way fares start at £79, with return tickets from £139. Bookings are open on the Air Charter Scotland website and through travel agents.
Bigger Plans Ahead
Company director Kirsty Macdonald confirmed the Aberdeen-Wick route is just the beginning.
“We have always focused on private charter, but the demand for reliable scheduled links in the Highlands is clear,” she said. “Once the March legislation change takes effect, we intend to expand to other routes that have been neglected.”
Industry sources suggest Dundee, Benbecula, and Kirkwall are among the destinations under consideration for later in 2026.
Early Passenger Reaction
First flights this week were fully booked. Passengers described the service as “a game-changer.”
Retired nurse Margaret Sutherland from Thurso flew to Aberdeen for a hospital appointment and back the same day. “I used to leave home at 5am to drive. Now I can have breakfast at home and still make a 10am appointment,” she said.
Business travelers heading to the oil and energy sector in Aberdeen also filled the early flights.
The launch breathes fresh hope into Scotland’s regional airports, which have struggled since the pandemic and the withdrawal of several PSO-supported routes.
For now, the little King Air buzzing north twice a day is the sound of northern Scotland getting reconnected, one short hop at a time.
What do you think about this new service? Will you be flying Aberdeen-Wick soon? Drop your thoughts below or share your pictures with #AberdeenWickAirLink
