Air Charter Scotland operated the first of six weekly return flights between Wick to Aberdeen yesterday, 14 January, on time, and to schedule, restoring vital connectivity to the far north of Scotland.

Celebrating the return of the Public Service Obligation route, together with Air Charter Scotland COO Derek Thomson at Wick John O’Groats Airport were some 25 Caithness and Wick community dignitaries, including Cllrs for Wick and East Caithness Jan McEwan MBE, Lib Dem, Provost of Wick and Raymond Bremner, SNP, Leader of the Highland Council. Representatives from the North Highland Chamber of Commerce, Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, Focus North, and Highlands & Islands Enterprise also attended.

The route commenced with the Beechcraft King Air 200 business turboprop, from UK operator DragonFly. A larger Jetstream J32, operated and crewed by AIS Airlines from the Netherlands on a wet lease capacity, which was to have commenced the route, will now take over from 1st March when Home Office/Border Force rules relax on the use of EU operators flying for UK airlines.

Air Charter Scotland, revered in the executive jet market, is underlining its commitment to expanding into regular air service flying as it seeks to add the J32 to its own Air Operator Certificate.

“We are delighted to have accomplished the first flights yesterday, as promised and are hugely grateful to fellow on demand operator Dragonfly Executive, their crew and their adaptability in helping us deliver the service as pledged. I’d also like to especially thank Head of Airline Licensing David Kendrick and his team at the UK CAA for working closely with us to get this important route up and running so swiftly,” said Derek Thomson.

Passengers enjoyed the King Air experience, he added. “The Beechcraft King Air is legendary in the business aviation world as a trusted, go anywhere turboprop – still in production today and a valued pathfinder to bigger aircraft into the summer.”

Councillor Raymond Bremner, Leader of The Highland Council, Chair of the Wick John O’ Groats Airport Consultative Committee and local member for Wick and East Caithness commented:

“Having a reliable air link from the far north to central Scotland is key to growing our local economy, improving connectivity and supporting the sustainability of our communities. While

we faced an unexpected challenge in recent days, partners have once again worked collaboratively to overcome it and ensure the continuation of this vital service. I would like to thank council officers, Air Charter Scotland and all other agencies and partners for their tireless efforts to ensure services recommence on 14 January, 2026.”

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Schedule of Services

The following schedule operational from 14 January 2026:

WIC → ABZ (Mon – Thurs) Depart 08:00 Arrive 08:55
•
ABZ → WIC Depart 09:30 Arrive 10:25

WIC → ABZ (Fri) Depart 18:00 Arrive 18:55
•
ABZ → WIC Depart 19:30 Arrive 20:25
•
WIC → ABZ (Sun) Depart 15:00 Arrive 15:55
•
ABZ → WIC Depart 16:30 Arrive 17:25

Editor’s notes 

Headquartered in Glasgow, with operational bases in London and Malta, Air Charter Scotland is Scotland’s second oldest airline operator. They commenced operations with Cessna 310 and Beech King Air 200 aircraft before expanding into executive jet operations back in 2006. Air Charter Scotland has two fully worldwide AOC’s following the creation of its European entity, Air Charter Scotland Europe, based in Malta in August 2020.  

Air Charter Scotland is an aircraft asset management company. The fleet is all offered for third party charter.

Air Charter Scotland is a member of the British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) and The Air Charter Association (ACA).

www.aircharterscotland.com

https://aircharterscotland.worldticket.net/booking

Media contact

Alison Chambers, Emerald Media

alison.chambers@emeraldmedia.co.uk

T: 44 1420 560094 /44 7881 628057

Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his career in aviation and has worked in most areas of our industry with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc currently represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Continued Airworthiness Group and with the Association for Remotely Piloted Aviation Services (ARPAS). 

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities.  The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after six years to continue our good work for industry. With the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to undertake this work with the regulator including regular discussions and a full industry day with the CAA each year.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum, which allows industry in the UK to discuss the financial plans for the CAA and look closely at the services being delivered to industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. 

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform” .  The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. 

The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Moving into 2026 we are seeking to further develop the pathways to enter aviation, and this effort is being supported with development of multimedia platforms with the organisation Metaverse. This multimedia approach is being developed so that it is more relatable to the next generation of people wishing to join aviation in a myriad of roles.

In the role of President (honorary) Marc can support the BBGA in many aspects and continue to ensure that we retain the right connections across industry, with regulators in the UK, regulators in the EU and wherever possible help hold government and its departments to account using normal channels, and where necessary utilise All Party-Political Groups for aviation.

BBGA Annual Conference and AGM

BBGA House of Commons Reception

Join BBGA

British Business and General Aviation Association

Join BBGA

British Business and General Aviation Association

James Carroll

Alison Chambers

Paul Cremer

Jason Hayward

James Moreton

James Hardie

Aoife O’Sullivan

Alex Durand

Marc Bailey

Sarah Towerzey

Heather Gordon

Lindsey Oliver