Air traffic control for seven regional airports could be handled from a single site under £28million plans announced by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (Hial) to “future proof” its operations.
The first of its kind to be introduced in the UK, the system, feeding information from unmanned towers to a central hub, would involve terminals at Inverness, Sumburgh, Wick, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Benbecula and Dundee.
Last night Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil warned the proposals would “bring concerns for many people” as they would lead to job losses. Mr MacNeil also called for the hub to be sited in Benbecula or Stornoway rather than at a location with “already relatively high economic activity”.
The Prospect union, which represents air traffic control staff, is to consult with members on its next steps once it has studied a “lengthy” report received yesterday from Scottish Government-owned Hial on the system’s feasibility.
Hial insists challenges including staff recruitment and retention, increasing regulation and rising pressure on costs mean “to do nothing is not an option”. The organisation, which has set a 10-15 year timescale for the system’s introduction, added it will work with staff and stakeholder groups to ensure that the proposals “work for all involved”.
Hial managing director Inglis Lyon said: “Having already involved our air traffic control staff and key stakeholders in the full review of our air traffic management operations by leading aviation consultancy, Helios, the board have agreed in principle with the Helios recommendation to pursue the remote towers solution.”
