Claim plans for air traffic control put safety and jobs at risk

Proposals to centralise air traffic control for seven airports including Dundee could put jobs and safety at risk, a union has warned.

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) has proposed creating a remote tower centre, which it said would be a UK first, as part of plans to “future-proof” its operations with an estimated £28 million investment over the next 10 to 15 years.

Air traffic controllers would be moved to a central hub at an as yet undetermined location.

The airports involved are Dundee, Sumburgh, Inverness, Wick John o’ Groats, Kirkwall, Stornoway and Benbecula.

HIAL said its airports at Barra, Tiree, Islay and Campbeltown have different levels of air traffic usage and would not be affected.

The HIAL board has agreed in principle to the move, recommended in a report by aviation consultancy Helios, and will now hold further talks with staff, stakeholder groups and politicians.

Air traffic controllers union Prospect has raised concerns about the proposals.

David Avery, Prospect aviation officer in Scotland, said any centralised monitoring system will be dependent on a reliable, resilient and secure communications infrastructure between the mainland and islands which does not exist.

HIAL, owned by the Scottish Government, said there will be no immediate changes to its operations, with the plans proposed over 10 to 15 years.

It said the long-term remote towers and centralised approach surveillance control programme will mirror a successful project in Sweden.

HIAL managing director Inglis Lyon said the overriding priority will always be safe and secure air navigation services that keep airports open for communities in the long term.

Picture: Mhairi Edwards. Dundee Airport is involved in HIAL proposals to centralise air traffic control.