Stornoway Airport is leading the way in wildlife conservation by being one the first airports in the UK to develop a biodiversity action plan (BAP).

The commitment to sustaining the unique natural environment on the Isle of Lewis was highlighted by HIALat its Board meeting in Stornoway on Friday 11 June. Board members also congratulated airport staff on the installation of new precision landing aids that became operational at the airport in March.

Prior to the Board meeting, HIAL met with local stakeholders to update them on recent air transport developments in the Western Isles and on future plans for the region’s airports. The airport operator holds its board meetings on a rotating basis at its 10 airports and head office.

Stornoway Airport developed its BAP in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage and other interested parties. Alistair Reid, the airport’s wildlife officer and Tom Dewick, HIAL’s wildlife adviser, have both been closely involved in the project.

The UK became a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The convention gives a commitment to conserving and sustaining the variety of life on earth.

Following the publication of the UK BAP, a Biodiversity Steering Group was established in Scotland in 1997 to advise the government. In May 2000 the House of Commons Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee (ETRAC) conducted an enquiry into UK biodiversity policy which led to companies being helped to take the first steps towards environmental management.

HIAL’s Chairman Sandy Matheson said: “We recognise that our airports operate within a unique region that is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. I am pleased to say that we strive to treat the environment as precious and sustainable at all 10 airports and enjoy good working relationships with bodies such as SNH and the RSPB. Stornoway Airport is an excellent example of this corporate commitment being put into practice.”

Seonaid Clarke, HIAL’s Manager at Stornoway, said: “The airport is surrounded by countryside which is part of an important ecosystem for rare species of wildlife. We are developing the biodiversity action plan to ensure that the rare species can continue to flourish whilst co-existing with a busy airport.”

Stornoway Airport ’s passenger numbers increased by 11.1% to an annual total of 109,669 in the year ending 31 March 2004. The airport handled almost 9,000 individual aircraft movements during the year, including scheduled passenger flights, charters, air ambulance and search and rescue operations.

ENDS