Airport name poll is to be 'reviewed'

A LEADING campaigner for air passengers has called for a re-run of a poll on whether the name of Inverness Airport should be changed.

Pat Hayden wants more people to be given the chance to vote on whether it should be changed to Inverness Loch Ness to reflect one of the most-visited tourist attractions in the area.

The idea was recently rejected by an overwhelming majority of those taking part in a Twitter poll run by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (Hial),

Mrs Hayden, chairman of Inverness Airport Consultative Committee, said many people – including herself – did not use Twitter and were unable to vote.

Despite her request to airport bosses for a more inclusive poll, they have ruled out a re-run in the short term although the result will be discussed at a future Hial board meeting.

Mrs Hayden admitted she was disappointed by the result of the poll.

"I am very much in favour of including Loch Ness in our airport name," she said.

"Any tourists coming to our area will include a visit to Loch Ness during their stay so we should include it in our airport name."

Each year, Mrs Hayden attends the annual conference of the 23 UK airport consultative committee chairmen.

They include representatives of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, George Best Belfast City Airport and Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

Mrs Hayden felt Inverness should take inspiration from such airport particularly given the popularity of Loch Ness and Nessie as a world-famous brand.

"I have travelled a lot and if people ask where I am from, I always explain Inverness is at the top of Loch Ness," Mrs Hayden said.

"I know tourism is doing very well during the summer months but we should also be promoting the shoulder months.

"The more tourists we get here, the more businesses stay open. It’s not rocket science."

A Hial spokesman said its Twitter poll received close to 2000 votes with fewer than a quarter of responders in favour of incorporating Loch Ness into the name of Inverness airport.

"The Hial board will review the results at its September Board meeting," the spokesman said.

The idea of a name change to include Loch Ness has been raised several times in the past and three years ago, business leaders in the area organised a petition.

They maintained it would help to bring a further boost to international tourism in the area.

The airport, located at Dalcross, is 10 miles away from Inverness and 15 miles from Loch Ness.