Caithness travellers now have access to new onward travel connections by air following enhancements to Wick Airport’s summer timetable.

BA franchise partner Loganair has reinstated the airport’s popular Kirkwall service and is also offering an onward connection to Glasgow via Kirkwall. Loganair also operates a Wick – Edinburgh service.

Passengers using Eastern Airways’ Aberdeen service can now access onward flights with the airline from Aberdeen to Norwich, Teesside, Nottingham East Midlands, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Bristol, Southampton and Stornoway.

The introduction of the Scottish Executive’s Air Discount Scheme at the end of May is also providing more affordable access to Scottish domestic flights for local residents.

The combination of more air travel options and more affordable fares is expected to see Wick increase its total passengers this year from the 31,000 handled in 2005/06.

Angela Donaldson, Wick Airport manager said: “We are looking forward to a busy summer at the airport with air connections to Kirkwall restored and a new opportunity to fly to Glasgow with Loganair.

“The expansion of Eastern Airways’ operations at Aberdeen means that interlining opportunities have increased to more UK destinations.

“We also expect the ADS to provide a further boost to passenger numbers in the months ahead as it will make the cost of flying more affordable for local residents – something that has long been called for in Caithness and north-west Sutherland,” said Miss Donaldson.