Air traffic control jobs safe for five years

After a local campaign, Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) will delay any decision about reducing air traffic control services at Benbecula Airport for at least five years.

HIAL, a private company owned by Scottish ministers, runs 11 regional airports including Tiree, Islay and Campbeltown.

Air traffic control jobs from Stornoway, Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Dundee were due to be centralised to a tower centre in Inverness, with Benbecula and Wick John O’ Groats airports to be downgraded to Flight Information Services, despite concerns about the removal of skilled jobs from rural communities.

Following a petition to the Scottish Parliament, in January HIAL confirmed air traffic control jobs would continue to be based at five airports, including Stornoway, but a decision about Benbecula Airport remained.

Last Thursday, HIAL said it will await the publication of new Civil Aviation Authority regulations, so these can be considered in its decision about Benbecula and Wick John O’ Groats airports. This means Benbecula Airport will retain its current service level and its air traffic control jobs for the next five years at least.

Vital

Congratulating Western Isles campaigners, the MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar Alasdair Allan, above, said: ‘It is vital for the future of our communities that skilled jobs, such as air traffic control roles, are kept in the islands as opposed to being centralised.’

‘It is vital for the future of our communities that skilled jobs, such as air traffic control roles, are kept in the islands as opposed to being centralised’