http://shet.news/a4626 Copied!
The managing director and board members of Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd are responsible for the running of 11 airports.
What they need to remember is that the airports belong to the communities they serve. Our communities.
Our airports are vital to all of us, in many different ways. If we become seriously ill or are severely injured we have to be flown out by air ambulance because our medical facilities are limited. Being referred to a medical consultant means that either they fly to see us or we fly to see them.
15 of 17Adverts
Business trips, family visits, holidays, trips to sporting events, they are all quicker and easier by air than by ferry and road.
March 6, 2021 at 10:45 am
Kirkwall Airport control tower.
Orkney’s MSP, Liam McArthur, has warned that HIAL must “take heed” of the “damning findings” findings of the retrospective island impact assessment into their proposed Air Traffic Management Strategy (ATMS) that have been published today, Friday.
The report, which assesses the impact of HIAL’s plans to centralise air traffic control services to Inverness, is said to have uncovered a number of “significant negative impacts” for Orkney, including on airline travel, economic activity, employment and renewables development. No positive impacts were noted.
The report states that in Orkney, “the total impact is estimated as 16.2 FTE jobs and £653,000 in gross salaries. These jobs and salaries will be lost in 2024 under ATMS.”
HIAL to proceed with air traffic scheme despite forecast job losses
March 5, 2021 at 11:36 am
HIAL is to proceed with its controversial Air Traffic Management Strategy, despite warnings of widespread job losses.
Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd. (HIAL) has confirmed that it will be proceeding with its controversial Air Traffic Management Strategy (ATMS), despite warnings of widespread job losses at airports across the region, including Kirkwall.
An impact assessment for the ATMS, published today, Friday, has forecast “very significant negative impacts” on Orkney’s economy, if current plans go ahead.
But HIAL’s managing director, Inglis Lyon, has said that the company has “always known” that there would be “impacts” resulting from such a scheme. He has endeavoured to continue with the ATMS, with the aim of delivering “viable solutions that will maintain lifeline services and essential connectivity for generations to come”.
March 5, 2021 at 1:01 pm
Kirkwall Airport control tower.
The Union representing air traffic controllers has called for a halt to the controversial remote towers project helmed by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd. (HIAL).
Prospect union has responded, this afternoon, Friday, to what it had branded a “damning” report examining the impact of the proposed Air Traffic Management Strategy (ATMS).
The impact assessment for the ATMS has forecast “very significant negative impacts” on Orkney’s economy, if current plans go ahead including widespread job losses at airports across the region.
While HIAL has today confirmed plans to proceed with the scheme, Prospect is urging the airport operator to “pause” its plans.