Provision for Public Service Obligation Air Services

Buyer
Argyll and Bute Council
Value
£1,977,796
Closes
15 January 2027
Where
Lochgilphead, Scotland
Type
Open tender

In plain English

Argyll and Bute Council wants one airline to run scheduled passenger flights from Oban to the islands of Coll, Colonsay and Tiree for four years, from September 2027 to September 2031. The route is a Public Service Obligation, meaning the council pays to keep these subsidised flights running because they are essential to island life, covering access to healthcare, schools, jobs and essential services.

What the buyer wants

• Run the scheduled flights themselves, including aircraft, pilots, cabin crew and all maintenance, with reliable and resilient service on the island routes. • Handle bookings, ticketing, customer service and marketing of the route. • Provide regular performance reports to the council and manage the operation within the contract terms and budget.

Likely requirements

Our reading of the notice. Always check the tender documents.

Without an existing Air Operator's Certificate, suitable aircraft, licensed flight crew and the financial capacity to fund a four-year scheduled air service, a small business would almost certainly be excluded, and in practice this is limited to established regional airlines.

How to bid

This is an open tender: any eligible business can respond directly to the buyer by the deadline, with no framework membership needed.

How to write a tender response

More open tenders from Argyll and Bute Council

Check whether your business could win this, free

Get a plain-English bid plan for this tender with the bid coach