Dundee’s air links to the London area appear to be guaranteed after the existing operators on the route confirmed they want the permanent contract.
Flybe-Loganair have submitted a tender document to fly the route after the end of their existing agreement to London Stansted in June. They are understood to be one of a number of bidders.
The present service is supported by a £400,000 subsidy from Transport Scotland and Dundee City Council after Cityjet ended their loss-making Dundee to London City flights at the end of March.
The public funding was to maintain the service the council deemed vital to Dundee’s economic regeneration.
The council then secured a Public Service Obligation subsidy from the European Commission through the Westminster Government.
The PSO scheme is for scheduled air services on routes important for the economic development of a region.
Bids for the PSO route had to be submitted by last month and council administration leader Ken Guild revealed there had been “definite interest” from a number of airlines.
Flybe-Loganair confirmed that they have made a bid in the process which is due to be concluded with an announcement of the successful candidate within weeks.
Their interest follows what Loganair chief operating officer Phil Preston said was the “significant uptake” on the Stansted route with a promising number of passenger bookings in line with expectation.
He added: “So far we are pleased with its performance and will continue to promote the route to the Dundee and South East England markets.”
Flybe-Loganair will not reveal their passenger numbers on the Stansted route for reasons of commercial confidentiality.
Subsidising scheduled services between Dundee and the London area has been criticised by Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport. He thinks public money can be better spent improving road and rail links between the Dundee area and his airport which can offer more and cheaper air services.
Councillor Guild disagreed, and said: “I don’t think a journey from Dundee to London should really start with a bus ticket to Edinburgh.”