The domestic UK airline Eastern Airways has cancelled all its flights and entered administration, effectively severing a vital transport link and cutting off the charming Scottish seaside town of Wick.
Administration and Immediate Fallout
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued a stark warning to passengers, urging them not to travel to the airport as no Eastern Airways flights will be operating. The airline's sudden collapse, which was first indicated via press coverage, leaves its former destinations—including Aberdeen, Humberside, London Gatwick, Newquay, and Teesside International—without this service.
Selina Chadha, Consumer and Markets Director at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, stated: “We urge passengers planning to fly with this airline not to go to the airport, as all Eastern Airways flights are cancelled.”
Wick's Isolation and Travel Consequences
The impact is most acutely felt in Wick, which heavily relied on the air connection. With the airline's collapse, the town's connectivity has been drastically reduced. The only other carrier listed for Wick John O'Groats Airport is Gama Aviation, a specialist business aviation company, which does not serve the general public in the same way.
This leaves residents facing a monumental overland journey. The fastest route to London from Wick is now a staggering 15-hour train ride, highlighting the critical role the air link played for the remote community.
Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), which owns the airport, confirmed it was made aware of the administration through press reports. In an online statement, HIAL said, “Wick John O’Groats Airport will continue to operate as normal, and passengers should contact the airline for information regarding booked flights.” The organisation also pledged to work with The Highland Council regarding the Public Service Obligation (PSO) route previously operated by Eastern Airways.
The Charm of the Isolated Town
Wick, an idyllic destination in the Scottish Highlands, is now facing its new reality in isolation. The town is promoted by VisitScotland for its dramatic cliff-top walks to the 15th- to 17th-century ruins of Sinclair and Girnigoe castles, where visitors can spot puffins and other seabirds.
Adding to its unique character, Wick boasts a quirky world record: it is home to the world's shortest street, Ebenezer Place, which measures just 6ft 9in (2.06m) long. This tiny street holds only one address—the door to Mackay’s Hotel’s No. 1 Bistro, a historical landmark created in 1887.
