Murdo Fraser MSP has written to the First Minister to ask what financial help can be provided to the Air Service Training (AST) at Perth Airport, after it went into administration.
In the letter to John Swinney, the Scottish Conservative politician highlights his concerns for the future of the AST and asks the First Minister if he can promise that the SNP Government will step in to help the stricken organisation.
Commenting, Mr Fraser said: “I was concerned to find out that the AST had gone into administration and decided to write to the First Minister on this important issue. I know that being the MSP for Perthshire North, Mr Swinney will recognise AST’s historical significance as one of Britain’s oldest aeronautical engineering training firms and its role in transforming Perth to become a major hub for future engineers from Scotland, the UK and across the world.
“Any prospective closure of AST would be deeply felt, depriving Scottish students of opportunities, worsening the local skills shortage crisis for firms within Scotland’s aeronautical sector and decreasing international investment coming into Perth.
“Although AST’s owners, the University of the Highlands & Islands, have intervened to keep the BSc course in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and Management running until its completion at the end of the academic year, all other courses have been immediately cut which will have profound consequences for the students and staff affected by these changes.”
Mr Fraser continued: “In my letter to the First Minister, I told him that I am aware that £8 million of the Tay Cities Deal had been reserved to create a national aviation academy and that I understand he has pledged to find a way forward on this issue. I have asked the First Minister if he is able to specify what actions the SNP Government will be taking to support ATS during this difficult period and confirm whether the Tay Cities Deal funding can be used to aid these efforts or restore the courses that had been suddenly cut.”
