24-04-2025
First Minister demands answers over UHI Perth aviation collapse
First Minister John Swinney is demanding immediate answers from the head of UHI Perth over the collapse of its aviation engineering subsidiary.
Air Service Training (Engineering) Limited (AST) is a wholly owned subsidiary of UHI Perth.
It plunged into administration earlier this month, putting 28 jobs at risk.
More than 190,000 students have qualified through its courses since it was founded in 1931.
UHI Perth has provided enough money to ensure its BSc in aircraft maintenance engineering and management programme will continue until the end of the academic year.
However, all other courses will end immediately.
This has troubled Mr Swinney, who is the MSP for Perthshire North where the airport and college is located.
He has now written to the institution demanding to know what safeguards are in place and whether there are any further 'financial difficulties' UHI Perth needs to make public.
Most recent financial accounts for UHI Perth show it posted a deficit of £1.7 million to July 31 2024.
In a joint letter, Mr Swinney, local SNP's MP Pete Wishart and fellow Perthshire MSP Jim Fairlie, 'seek urgent clarity' from Dr Cook on a number of unanswered issues, including:
Mr Swinney said: 'AST is a world-class facility located in the heart of Perthshire.
'It has a rich history of providing specialised training and has a profoundly positive impact on the local economy.
'To that end, it is vital that all possible avenues to save AST are explored.
'Along with Pete Wishart and Jim Fairlie, I will continue to engage with all stakeholders and strongly advocate for a solution that secures the future of AST and safeguards the jobs and training opportunities that it provides within the local area.'
The company has struggled financially since the pandemic, due to falling student numbers, reduced commercial contracts and rising costs.
This combination of factors has put significant strain on its cash flow.
AST was to receive up to £8m in funding from the Tay Cities Deal, in a partnership with Tayside Aviation.
Tayside Aviation collapsed in 2023, and subsequently no business case has been submitted for the cash.
UHI Perth and Dr Cook have been approached for comment.
