Highland MSP attacks plan to centralise region's air traffic control in Inverness
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A HIGHLANDS and Islands MSP claims the Scottish Government and a publicly-owned airport operator are showing “blatant contempt” for rural communities by centralising air traffic control.
Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) is proposing to use Inverness as the sole hub for air traffic control, rather than retain services at its 11 airports.
Labour member Rhoda Grant claims the move will cost too many jobs in rural and vulnerable areas.
She also attacked the plan for being “reliant on technology not currently in place” and for being “untested” on a geographic area like the Highlands and Islands.
Ms Grant said operating a single hub in Inverness would leave some of the most peripheral and vulnerable airports in Scotland being monitored by remote controllers using screens.
Her claims – refuted by the company – came as a petition against the move was launched on the Scottish Parliament’s website.
HIAL operates and manages 11 airports at Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Dundee, Islay, Inverness, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick.
Most are loss-making, but viewed as vital to the social and economic welfare of the areas they serve.
Ms Grant, a vociferous opponent since the plans were first mooted almost five years ago, said: “HIAL’s proposals are not only heavily reliant on robust and reliable infrastructure which is not currently in place, they rely on a system which is untested to the level of traffic and the geographical area that HIAL want to implement it across.
“Of even greater concern, is the blasé way in which HIAL and the SNP are happy to strip high-quality jobs from some of our most fragile areas.
“These losses will result in whole families leaving areas already rife with depopulation and have a decimating impact.
“HIAL and the SNP would have us believe that air traffic controllers will be able to ‘commute’ from areas like Benbecula to Inverness. This is clearly not a sustainable solution for air traffic controllers who want to live and work at home.
“Their interaction with staff appears geared to encouraging them to relocate to Inverness, removing not only themselves but their families from home.
“HIAL and the SNP are showing blatant contempt for the islands and rural Highlands with these proposals.
“That is why I am supporting this petition set up by members of the communities which will be affected.”
But a spokesman for HIAL countered those claims, saying: “From the outset, HIAL has kept staff and stakeholders involved and informed with regard to the process.
“Our decision to proceed with the project was based on a report by industry professionals and involved input from air traffic control colleagues, who indicated their preference to locate the combined control centre in Inverness.”
The petition against the move calls for the Scottish Government to halt the process, at least until an Islands’ Impact Assessment is completed in accordance with the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018.
It is available at http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/airservices and is open until May 6.
