Airports hit as staff take strike action

Proposals to centralise air traffic control have prompted strike action by Dundee Airport staff, with flights cancelled as a result.

Members of the Prospect union have announced plans to strike on July 29, including air traffic controllers at Dundee Airport.

Prospect said the one-day strike action was an escalation in the industrial action which has been ongoing since January.

It comes amid plans by Highlands and Islands Airport Limited (HIAL) to centralise air traffic control and close towers.

Under the proposals, air traffic control would be centralised in Inverness. The industrial action will affect six airports – Inverness, Sumburgh, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Benbecula and Dundee.

Prospect said the plans would cause the loss of high-value jobs from remote communities.

It added there would also be forced redundancies among those unwilling to relocate.

David Avery, Prospect negotiator, said: “Our members have been forced into this escalation of industrial action to protect the communities they serve.

“The Scottish Government has the power to step in on this debate but the minister hasn’t even taken the time to meet the local councils involved, or indeed his own MSPS, to discuss the impact of the remote towers project.

“HIAL needs to halt these plans now so our members can get on with their jobs.”

Flights from Dundee Airport and elsewhere have already been cancelled by Loganair as a result of the planned walkout.

The operator has cancelled all flights to and from the airports on July 29, with customers told they would receive email notification of this.

Loganair plans to operate larger aircraft on several other services on Wednesday July 28 and Friday July 30 to provide additional seats to help customers rearrange their travel plans.

Jonathan Hinkles, chief executive of Loganair, said: “We are hugely disappointed by this strike action by the union representing air traffic controllers at HIAL airports, and can only ask for our customers’ understanding that we are unable to avoid the inconvenience that these flight cancellations will inevitably cause to travel plans, hospital appointments and island deliveries of freight and mail.”

Inglis Lyon, HIAL’S managing director, said: “We ask that Prospect work with HIAL on completing the policy work before considering strike action and to meet with HIAL in the interim to agree how this might happen.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “It is disappointing the union is taking strike action, which will clearly impact passengers.”

WALKOUT: Dundee is one of six affected airports. Picture by Kim Cessford.