Highland MSP quizzes Hial over drone resilience

A Highland MSP is seeking information from the north’s busiest airport relating to any potential drone issues.

Jamie Halcro-Johnston wants to know Highlands and Islands Airports’ (Hial) protocols, and if any drones have been recorded entering their air space.

It comes after flights were grounded at London Gatwick and Heathrow in recent weeks.

At Gatwick, 837 flights experienced disruption and delay over a 36-hour period, affecting more than 130,000 travellers heading home for Christmas.

Mr Halcro-Johnston has also questioned how aircraft safety can be prioritised under Hial’s plans to centralise air traffic services in Inverness, using remote towers in other airports.

He said: “The recent delays caused by drone sightings at Gatwick and Heathrow have caused significant disruption to thousands of passengers.

“It was concerning to see that such easily accessible technology can cause such an enormous impact.

“It is, of course, right that airports take an approach where the safety of passengers is paramount.”

Passengers at Gatwick Airport after drone sightings grounded planes in December