Standing still is not an option, says HIAL after assessment of air traffic centralisation plans
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Plans to centralise Highlands and Islands air traffic control services in Inverness have taken a decisive step forward after a study concluded that "the status quo is not sustainable".
Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) today set out the far-reaching consequences of the move in a report following an independent impact assessment of its controversial Air Traffic Management Strategy (ATMS).
HIAL chairperson Lorna Jack insisted that ATMS is the only way to ensure a long-term future for air traffic services in the region and warned: “Standing still is not an option – we must modernise."
The findings provoked an angry response from local MP Jamie Stone, who accused HIAL of being "dead set on undermining the future of Wick John O'Groats Airport". Wick was left without scheduled flights after the loss of the Edinburgh and Aberdeen routes last year and there have been long-running concerns over the economic consequences of ATMS for Caithness and north Sutherland.
Prospect, the union representing air traffic control staff in the Highlands and Islands, described centralisation as the most expensive, economically damaging option and urged HIAL to pause the project.
HIAL said the aim had been to assess the economic and community impact of ATMS and, where relevant, undertake island community impact assessments.
The report explores the potential impact on communities resulting from ATMS.
The strategy will introduce remote integrated air traffic control services for five airports – Inverness, Dundee, Stornoway, Kirkwall and Sumburgh. This will be delivered via a combined surveillance centre in Inverness.
Under the plans, Wick as well as Benbecula will change the way air traffic management is delivered by extending their current AFIS (Aerodrome Flight Information Service) operations.
The report, by Reference Economic Consultants, says the status quo is not sustainable. It compares the impact of the ATMS programme with what HIAL had considered as an alternative option – a local surveillance solution based at existing airports.
The local surveillance option was explored but was discounted – not just because it was the most costly option identified in a Helios consultancy report of 2017, HIAL said, but "because it did not offer the same level of staff resilience, operational flexibility or recruitment and retention benefits that the ATMS option offers".
An online survey of air traffic staff was undertaken as well as a consultation programme with communities, local authorities, community councils and politicians. Prospect was consulted as well as air operators.
Ms Jack said: “We welcome the report and commend the author on a thorough and challenging examination of the issues.
“The commissioning of the report demonstrates our commitment to listen and do everything we possibly can to mitigate any impacts. We want to work with colleagues and communities to find practical solutions.
“We appreciate that a programme of this magnitude and complexity will bring significant change for people in our communities, including our highly valued air traffic control colleagues.
“However, standing still is not an option – we must modernise. ATMS is the only option that provides the necessary levels of resilience required to ensure long-term sustainable air traffic service provision for the communities we serve.”
HIAL says it has identified and put forward "numerous initiatives aimed at making the transition as manageable as possible".
It says its board has accepted the potential impact on local employment and economies and agreed with the further recommendations to explore where HIAL’s operations can create more economic activity for island communities.
Managing director Inglis Lyon said: “We have always known there would be impacts by undertaking such a significant and complex change management programme.
“To date, there have been no alternative proposals that provide a solution that fully addresses all of the challenges HIAL currently faces.”
HIAL has written to all relevant local authorities to request meetings and has offered to "work together with stakeholders to identify where it can contribute further to local economies".
Mr Lyon said: “We hope that everyone with a vested interest in the long-term future of air traffic services in the Highlands and Islands will work with us to deliver viable solutions that will maintain lifeline services and essential connectivity for generations to come.”
The Liberal Democrats were quick to react, warning that Wick John O'Groats Airport faced "two very significant negative impacts".
Both relate to the "resilience of air traffic management and air services". And both relate to the fact Wick currently has a lower level of resilience with no scheduled flights.
The assessment points to the decommissioning of Dounreay and a lack of health-related scheduled passengers as reasons underpinning this.
The Lib Dem say they are concerned the assessment fails to consider the potential economic future of Caithness as well as Sutherland, which is due to have a spaceport constructed.
Jamie Stone, the MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, said: "HIAL seems dead set on undermining the future of Wick John O'Groats Airport. Instead of focusing on the potential future of the airport, its assessment only looks at the current state of play. It fails to consider how critical the airport will be for Sutherland's spaceport, among other potential economic projects.
"The assessment confirms the worst, and what we have always warned them about – that their plan to centralise air traffic controllers in Inverness is the riskiest and most expensive option.
"HIAL was set up in the interests of local people. Yet it's exactly those people who they are now screwing over.
"Inverness is critical to the entire region, but the success of that city depends on the vitality of the entire north. HIAL must change course and the Scottish Government has a responsibility to make sure that happens."
The Lib Dems' Holyrood candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Molly Nolan, said: “The report by HIAL shows that its priorities are not in step with the people of the north Highlands. It is clear that this move will only worsen the jobs and depopulation crisis facing the northern counties.
“This centralising government agenda needs to come to an end. The Scottish Government must take action to reverse HIAL’s costly decision and protect the jobs and livelihoods of those living in the north.”
Prospect negotiations officer David Avery said: “The report is absolutely damning in its assessment of the damage this project will cause. Centralisation remains the most expensive and most economically damaging option and yet HIAL is determined to continue with it.
“HIAL should immediately pause this project and commission a genuinely independent report considering the feasibility of an alternative localised model. If they refuse to do so then the Scottish Government must step in.
“This is a major test of the credibility of the Islands Act which was intended to stop projects like this and ensure organisations considered less damaging alternatives."
On staffing, Mr Avery said: “The report confirms Prospect's own survey which found that staff in island communities will not relocate to Inverness. HIAL need to explain how they intend to live up to their promise of no compulsory redundancies as all evidence suggests that widespread redundancies now seem inevitable."
He added: “HIAL’s claim that local implementation is not viable or that this report endorses their position is simply not true. This report states HIAL’s position – it very clearly does not endorse it. Any attempt to claim the contrary is just more desperate spin.
“Local implementation of air traffic services including surveillance is how air traffic is implemented at almost every airport across the UK, including at HIAL’s own Inverness airport. It is a viable workable and resilient alternative but HIAL refuses to consider it."
