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Provision of Air Services

Argyll and Bute Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

02 Sep 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F1 - Prior Information Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Argyll and Bute Council intends to procure scheduled passenger air services linking Oban with the islands of Coll, Colonsay and Tiree. This is a passenger air transport service (CPV 60410000) serving communities across the Argyll and Bute area. The service is intended to provide an essential transport link for access to healthcare, education, employment, business, public services and tourism. The appointed operator will design, operate, promote and manage the routes, including passenger bookings, scholar travel, performance monitoring and reporting. Council support is expected to include access to airport facilities, office accommodation at Oban Airport, and the waiver of public-service-obligation landing and passenger fees at Council-operated airports. The contract will use an output-based approach, allowing operators to propose how the service should be delivered.

This procurement is at the planning stage: the Council has announced its intention to procure and is seeking market awareness and engagement, rather than inviting bids. It expects to use an output-based approach for one contract, with operators determining their aircraft type, timetable, seasonal variations, fares, marketing and route development within the available subsidy. The planned contract is for four years, expected to start on 16 September 2027. It will have a fixed subsidy of around £512,207 per year, with an estimated total value of £2,048,828 over the contract period. The Council anticipates publishing the contract notice and tender documents on 30 November 2026. The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement.

This will suit an established air service operator able to design and run scheduled island routes, manage aircraft and airport operations, and provide dependable passenger services in a geographically challenging setting. Relevant preparation should include options for aircraft selection, timetabling, seasonal capacity, fare structures and service development. The Council is looking for proposals that demonstrate resilience and reliability, effective marketing and growth of the service, and sound performance monitoring and reporting. Suppliers should also be ready to manage passenger booking arrangements and meet scholar travel requirements. Operators able to balance these operational responsibilities with community connectivity and innovative, output-focused service design are likely to be well placed when the procurement reaches the market.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Air Services

Notice Description

Argyll and Bute Council intends to procure a four-year contract for the provision of scheduled passenger air services between Oban, Coll, Colonsay and Tiree. The contract is expected to commence on 16 September 2027 and will be supported by a fixed annual subsidy. The successful operator will be responsible for the design, operation and marketing of the service and associated reporting requirements.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Argyll and Bute Council is providing advance notice of its intention to procure a contract for the operation of scheduled passenger air services between Oban and the islands of Coll, Colonsay and Tiree. The contract is expected to commence on 16 September 2027 and continue for a period of four years. The service is supported through a fixed annual subsidy and forms an essential transport link for island communities, providing access to healthcare, education, employment, business, public services and tourism opportunities. The Council intends to adopt an output-based approach and encourages operators to develop innovative proposals. Tenderers will be free to determine, within the available subsidy, their proposed aircraft type, service timetable, seasonal variations, fare structure, marketing strategy and route development initiatives. The successful operator will be responsible for the design, operation, promotion and management of the air services, including scholar travel provision, passenger booking arrangements, performance monitoring and reporting. The Council will provide support including a fixed subsidy, waiver of PSO landing and passenger fees at Council-operated airports, office accommodation at Oban Airport and access to airport facilities required for operation of the services. The Council anticipates publishing a contract notice and tender documentation at a later date and is issuing this Prior Information Notice to raise market awareness and encourage engagement from suitably qualified air service operators.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000841479
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP563632
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F1 - Prior Information Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60410000 - Scheduled air transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,048,828 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Nov 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Argyll and Bute Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LOCHGILPHEAD
Postcode
PA31 8RT
Postcode Area
Paisley
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM2 Highlands and Islands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM20 Highlands and Islands
Delivery Location
TLM63 Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh, Arran and Cumbrae, and Argyll and Bute
Local Authority
Argyll and Bute
Electoral Ward
Mid Argyll
Westminster Constituency
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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