Official UK procurement notice
North Scotland/Wick John O’Groats Airport PSO Scheduled Flight Services
Authority: The Highland Council (Local council)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionTHC 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.
- Recurrence: December 2029
CPV: Air transport services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedLot #1A scheduled air passenger service between Wick John O’Groats Airport and both Aberdeen…AwardedRenewal
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.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (2)
- see docs: 40%
- price: 60%
Published award criteria (2)
- see docs: 40
- Price: 60
- Suitability
Qualifications and Accreditations:
Tenderers are required to provide evidence of appropriate licences and accreditations to operate the scheduled service routes and proposed aircraft(s).
Environmental Requirements:
Tenderers are required to provide their environmental policy which shall be in line with Government Guidance, objectives and targets.
- Price carries 60 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 6 points. This one is won on the number: sharpen the price before polishing the prose.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record · publisher note attached- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Yes · December 2029
- First published
- 16 Dec 2025, 10:00 GMT
- Last source update
- 2 Sept 2026, 15:13 BST
- Award evaluation window
- 16 Feb 2026 – …
- Authority reference
THC/TAMBS/WJOG/2026- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-083133- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f648Find a Tender
Publisher note: 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)
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 16 Feb 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- {"electronicSubmission"}
- Accepted languages
- en
- Participation fee
- document
- Bid validity
- 90 days from the deadline
- Bids opened
- 16 Feb 2026, 12:00 GMT
Timeline
16 Feb 2026 → 2 Sept 2026 · 3 dates- Submission deadline250 days ago16 Feb 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Bids opened250 days ago16 Feb 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Notice published52 days ago2 Sept 2026, 15:13 BST
Notice history
1 event · 2 releases on Find a Tender- Status changed to complete2 Sept 2026, 15:13 BST
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Charter Scotland LtdSME | £7,956,000 † | — | Awarded |
Contracts
Contract 083133-2026-1 · Air Charter Scotland LtdSME
- Signed
- 29 Jul 2026
- Value
- £7,956,000
- Status
- active
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1bids · 1 electronic · 1 from abroad | 1 | — | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Dispute resolution & review bodies
- Sherrif CourtReview body
- To be AgreedReview body
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- Air Charter Scotland LtdAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Economic and financial selection criteria
- Technical selection criteria