SNP Group calls for air traffic control to remain in Stornoway and Benbecula

Councillor Gordon Murray, the SNP group’s leader, has written to Inglis Lyon, HIAL’s managing director, to voice concerns over the pending decision to centralise air traffic control at Inverness Airport, and ending the the air traffic control tower operations in the Western Isles.

In his letter, Mr Murray says: “As previously discussed, we have concerns with regards to the present and future economic impact this will have on our fragile communities. I have seen it reported that it will be a loss of £1.5 million which is an amount our communities can ill-afford at this particular time.

“Given the effects of the global pandemic, I would ask you and the board of HIAL to reconsider this move. Whatever savings that are realized through this move, the negative impact will be far worse. Investment in fragile rural communities have a much greater impact than in urban areas.

“As you will understand, the key to transformational change in any community or locality is to develop a hi-tech economy through innovation.

“Our group believes that the Outer Hebrides is key in its strategic geographic position for the development of aeronautical and aerospace research and development.

“The Comhairle recently accepted proposals from the SNP group to undertake a cost/benefit analysis on research and development science hubs. By withdrawing the air traffic control towers, it could diminish this aspiration.

“The Outer Hebrides has the potential of the Spaceport in the same locality, there is also the potential to use the real estate surrounding these communication hubs to build hi-tech parks similar to Aberdeen University which has a number of technology hubs.

“HIAL can play a major role in building a hi-tech, high-wage economy throughout the Highlands and Islands but there must be commitment to do this in the rural areas and not just the urban ones.

“I would urge you, therefore, to reconsider in light of the pandemic and how the economy will fair for our rural areas and look at continuing the welcome investment in these towers in Stornoway and Benbecula.”

HIAL has appointed consultants to carry out a study into the impact of Air Traffic Control centralisation on Island communities.

HIAL says its proposed £28 million investment in a centralised air traffic management system is necessary to “future proof” its operations in Scotland against a background of business challenges including staff recruitment and retention, increasing regulation, and increasing pressure on costs.

The new remote operations centre would be located Inverness, which was identified as the preferred site following staff consultation, and would be responsible for air traffic management at HIAL airports at Sumburgh, Dundee, Inverness, Kirkwall, Stornoway and Benbecula.