Can Dundee Airport be saved as plans explored for new London route?

Just two weeks after Dundee Airport’s last commercial flight took off, efforts are already under way to reconnect the city with London and secure the airport’s future.

The final scheduled service, operated by Loganair, ended on October 23, leaving the airport without any regular commercial flights.

Located just two miles from Dundee city centre, it is one of the closest airports to its associated city.

However, it does not handle as many flights or passengers as Edinburgh, Glasgow or even Inverness.

The final route from Dundee served as a bridge between Sumburgh and London, and with no regular commercial flights, the airport’s future was in doubt.

Now, Dundee City Council has confirmed that it is exploring potential new arrangements to restart flights.

A spokesperson said: “Following the announcement of Loganair’s decision to cease operating the service on October 23, the council has been exploring the economic case for establishing a new Dundee to London Public Service Obligation air route.

“Discussions have been continuing with partners who have supplied funding to the recent PSO, and with colleagues at HIAL (Highlands and Islands Airports Limited).”

‘Dundee Airport is a strategic asset to the city’, says local MSP

A public service obligation (PSO) would likely be similar to the one established when Eastern Airways pulled the only scheduled flight from Wick John O’Groats Airport.

Now the airport is connected via PSO operated by Air Charter Scotland to Aberdeen and, more recently, Glasgow.

Local representatives are hopeful this could be the case for Dundee, but until then, the Scottish Government continues to fund airport operations despite the lack of regular flights.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “We understand that Dundee City Council are in the process of developing proposals for a new PSO air service to London.

“If Dundee City Council requests a funding contribution to a future PSO then we will fully consider that request.

“The Scottish Government continues to provide subsidies to enable the ongoing operation of the airport.”

Dundee City East MSP Stephen Gethins has voiced his support for the proposal and said new routes would secure the airport’s future.

He said: “Dundee City Airport has been a great asset for the city for over 60 years. The withdrawal of Loganair, cutting access to Dundee, has been very disappointing to see.

“The Scottish Government continues to financially support Dundee Airport’s day-to-day operations, securing jobs for Dundee, and has committed to looking for a new Public Service Obligation flight to ensure that Dundee remains accessible from across the globe.

“I welcome support from the Scottish and UK governments as well as Dundee City Council in finding new routes for Dundee Airport to secure the future of the airport and keep our city a valued destination.”

Dundee City East MSP Heather Anderson added: “I was extremely disappointed by Loganair’s decision to withdraw their services from Dundee.

“The Scottish Government has committed to considering a new PSO and continues to provide a subsidy to enable the ongoing operation of Dundee Airport.

“Dundee Airport is a strategic asset to the city. I welcome any and all efforts to secure further routes to London and elsewhere.”

Travel influencer launches petition to save Dundee Airport

The issue was covered by Scottish YouTuber WorldWideDom on his channel as he took the final flight from Dundee to London.

Hailing from Aberdeen, Dominic Callander has championed Dundee Airport as an important aviation hub for the city and the Tayside region.

He has launched a Change.org petition to save Dundee Airport.

He said: “I have personally witnessed the benefits that direct flights to London bring to our community, from boosting local tourism to facilitating business opportunities, and even making personal travel more convenient.

“The loss of this connection would not only isolate Dundee but also have a ripple effect on the local economy.”

He is urging transport bosses to allow a PSO so that the Dundee-to-London route can be re-established, securing jobs and reconnecting the city.

The petition has already gathered hundreds of signatures.