Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
The Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness
IV3 5NX
UK
Contact person: Julie Cromarty
E-mail: julie.cromarty@highland.gov.uk
NUTS: UKM6
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.highland.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00045
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
North Scotland/Wick John O’Groats Airport PSO Scheduled Flight Services
Reference number: THC/TAMBS/WJOG/2026
II.1.2) Main CPV code
60400000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
THC is in discussions with Transport Scotland regarding subsidy provision for this service to help encourage airlines to offer their services and work in collaboration with THC to achieve these benefits.
THC consider that continuing air services between Wick John O’Groats Airport (WIC) and Aberdeen (ABZ) and expanding these to include Edinburgh (EDI) shall enhance the visibility of the area and help stimulate the economy to ensure that the north of Scotland remains accessible and desirable for travellers, business people and the local community alike.
THC consider that an expanded air service will be an exciting and prosperous venture. THC are therefore looking for equally enthusiastic air service operator(s) to work with the Council in making these positive outcomes a reality and are welcoming tenders on this basis.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
7 956 000.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
60400000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM6
UKM50
UKM75
Main site or place of performance:
Wick Airport
Aberdeen Airport
Edinburgh Airport
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
A scheduled air passenger service between Wick John O’Groats Airport and both Aberdeen and Edinburgh Airports.
Tenderers shall be able to price a range of comprehensive timetabling and frequency options, so that the services can be flexed according to demonstrable demand, without the need to re-tender.
The Highland Council intend to work closely with the air operator throughout the life of the Contract to ensure successful delivery. To that end, there shall be clear communication channels established and regular contract management meetings to help reinforce the collaborated approach.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: see docs
/ Weighting: 40
Price
/ Weighting:
60
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2025/S 000-083162
Section V: Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
29/07/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 1
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Air Charter Scotland Ltd
7 Colvilles Place, East Kilbride
Glasgow
G75 0PZ
UK
Telephone: +44 7831554881
NUTS: UKM
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 7 956 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
Provided tenderers have not materially altered the scope and requirements of the requirement and they have provided a compliant proposal, tenderers may also submit a variant Tender. A variant tender shall consist of a variant Technical Questionnaire, variant Forecast of Income and Expense and Subsidy Claims Form, a variant Forecast Explanation & Commentary and a variant Form of Tender.
(SC Ref:841886)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Sherrif Court
Inverness
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
02/09/2026