Review to look at future of air traffic control services at Wick John O'Groats airport
A new working group is to be set up to look at the future of air traffic control services at Wick John O'Groats airport.
That was confirmed yesterday and comes after Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (Hial) shelved controversial plans to centralise air traffic control in Inverness and downgrade the airports at Wick and Benbecula.
Following a board meeting this week, the company decided on a new strategy for its Air Traffic Management Strategy (ATMS). It involves a centralised surveillance operation for Sumburgh, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Inverness, and Dundee airports, based on the existing approach radar facility on the Inverness airport site with air traffic tower services being provided locally at each of these airports.
A working group will be established to discuss the future service delivery options for Wick John O’Groats and Benbecula airports which were to be downgraded under the original plan.
Lorna Jack, Hial’ chairwoman said: "We’ve listened to the feedback from our colleagues and island communities in reaching our decision. This alternative delivery of the ATMS programme will provide enhanced safety and resilience to our operations and retain air traffic controllers on the islands.
“While this sets the future strategic direction for the programme, the Board recognises that further detailed work will be required with colleagues before a comprehensive business case can be presented to Transport Scotland. This will include a review of our island impact assessment.”
Inglis Lyon, Managing Director of HIAL said: “We were pleased to note the encouraging feedback from Prospect on the constructive working relations that have been developed through the staff working groups.
“We look forward to continuing this positive approach with Prospect and our colleagues as we move into the next phase of detailed operational design.
“We hope the Board’s decision will enable the current industrial action to be brought to a conclusion and allow us to move forward together to deliver our fundamental aim – a modern, sustainable air traffic service for the Highlands and Islands.”
David Avery, Prospect union negotiator, said: “This decision is an important one for Prospect members and hopefully brings to an end our long-running dispute with HIAL over remote towers. We welcome HIAL’s commitment to modernising air traffic control services in a way that works for staff, communities and the business.
“I want to thank everyone who has helped us to reach this outcome. It would not have happened without the dedicated campaigning of Prospect members, and without the widespread support of communities and politicians across the affected areas.
“We look forward to working with HIAL to bring through these modernisations.”
Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect, said: “This is an important result not only for Prospect members but also for the communities they serve. I want to congratulate them and everyone else involved – this shows what we can achieve when we combine the power of unions with the voice of local communities.”