The UK government
has today announced more than £1.8 million to secure a vital air
link between Dundee City Airport and London Stansted for another
2 years.
The public service obligation (PSO), agreed between
the UK government,
Transport Scotland and Dundee City Council, guarantees almost
£3.7 million to keep the route open over the 2017/18 and 2018/19
financial years.
The UK government
will contribute 50% of the total funds, with the Scottish
government putting in £1.4 million and Dundee City Council
funding a further £400,000.
Loganair will continue to operate the route from 26 March 2017,
with the service comprising 2 return flights each weekday and 1
return flight on Sundays.
The Dundee-London link, which launched as the first
government PSO in 2014, plays an
important role in promoting Dundee as a business and tourist
destination, offering additional travel options to railway and
road. Flight times between the 2 airports currently stand at
around an hour and a half.
Aviation Minister said:
I am delighted that Loganair will continue to operate this
direct air service between Dundee and London Stansted for
another 2 years.
Passengers and businesses will continue to benefit from the
connectivity this route provides. It will further boost trade
and tourism opportunities will continue to flourish in
Scotland.
Regional airports are vital to our long-term economic strategy,
and we are committed to strengthening links across the whole
country and in particular ensuring access to London to further
boost growth across the whole of the UK.
UK government Minister
for Scotland Lord said:
It’s great news for Dundee that the UK government is investing a
further £1.8 million over 2 years in the Dundee-London air
route, building on our investment of £2.85 million over the
past 2 years.
Good air connectivity is vital to Dundee’s prosperity and its
ambitious regeneration plans. There is a huge amount going on
in Dundee, and London air links offer fantastic opportunities
for Tayside.
Dundee City Council leader Ken Guild said:
As the city continues its long-term regeneration programme,
having a direct air link to London fulfils an important role
for business and leisure travellers.
Securing the route for a further 2 years through this
latest PSO gives the council
and its partners an opportunity to build on the service and
attract other routes.
The Scottish government’s Minister for Transport
said:
The award of this contract to Loganair is welcome news which
provides continuity of service on this important route.
This flight not only provides a direct link to London, but also
offers passengers a wide number of onward connecting
destinations from Stansted. This will continue to benefit
business and leisure travellers alike.
In the wider context, this service is vital for the future of
Dundee Airport and we will continue to work with all partners
to add new flights to its roster. I wish Loganair every success
with this service.
The government maintains regional airport links through the
Regional Air Connectivity Fund, which can be used to protect
important air connections to London which may otherwise be lost.
Last month, the UK government gave its first ever
backing for a PSO in Northern
Ireland.
