HIAL marked the completion of a two-year multi-million pound investment project at Islay Airport today (Friday 25 June 2004) with the official opening of the newly extended and upgraded terminal building.

The latest investment follows the £2.1 million resurfacing of the airport’s two runways that was completed in December 2002 and work on navigational aids carried out last year. Airport operations were uninterrupted during these projects.

The £750,000 terminal upgrade and extension completed at the famous whisky distilling island’s airport includes a gateway project that gives travellers a flavour of the history and culture of the island when they arrive by air.

The terminal, which handled more than 22,000 passengers last year, has been upgraded and extended to accommodate to accommodate a new passenger departure lounge, enhanced check-in facilities along with the introduction of a departure control system and an automated baggage reclaim system. The upgrade included facilities for the security screening of hold and cabin baggage and a new archway metal detector for screening passengers. Car parking and disabled facilities have also been extended. The work was carried out to meet UK Department for Transport regulations under the National Airport Security Programme.

The terminal now has a new departure lounge of approximately 125 square metres and a larger check-in and concourse area of 100 square metres. New office accommodation has been created for the airport’s scheduled flight operator Loganair that flies between Glasgow and Islay six days a week.

A committee of local stakeholders and partners helped to develop the gateway project at Islay, including representatives from: HIAL; Islay and Jura Marketing Group; Islay Airport Consultative Committee; Argyll and the Islands Enterprise; Scottish Natural Heritage; Islay distilleries; Museum of Islay Life; Argyll, the Islands, Loch Lomond, Stirling & Trossachs Tourist Board and Argyll and Bute Council.

The gateway element of the terminal was developed by HIAL in partnership with Argyll and the Islands Enterprise, the area tourist board, Scottish Natural Heritage, local estates and distilleries, the Museum of Islay Life and local schools.

Orkney-based designer Sheila Scott developed the visual elements of the gateway project. She had previously worked on HIAL’s Kirkwall Airport gateway project.

The runway refurbishment completed in 2002 involved laying more than 11,000 tonnes of finished bitumen produced by Europe’s largest mobile tar plant that was transported to the Inner Hebridean island by ferry and assembled on site. There was no interruption to airport operations during the work, which has extended the life of the runways by an estimated 28 years.

Islay-born Scottish broadcaster Glenn Campbell, who grew up in nearby Bowmore, officially opened the terminal. Mr Campbell’s parents were among the 100 guests who attended the event.

Speaking at the terminal opening, HIAL’s Chairman Sandy Matheson said: “The new terminal is a credit to everyone involved in the project and marks the completion of £3 million of investment by HIAL in the past two years.

“ Islay is the busiest of our southern region airports and thousands of visitors arrive by air to enjoy this beautiful island every year. I am pleased to say that the airport now meets the latest security requirements and also provides, through the stunning gateway project, a true flavour of Islay’s heritage, culture and environment.

“Our airports play a fundamental economic and social role in the Highlands and Islands and it is with the support of the Scottish Executive that we continue to invest in their development for the benefit of the unique communities that we serve. I am sure that this island, well known as the Queen of the Hebrides, will continue to welcome the many visitors and business people who arrive via the airport in the years ahead,” said Mr Matheson.

In the year ending 31 March 2004, Islay Airport handled 22,382 passengers and 2,623 individual aircraft movements, including scheduled, charter, general aviation, military and air ambulance flights.

Islay received its first recorded flight in July 1928. Midland Scottish Air Ferries operated the island’s first scheduled flight on 16th May 1933, arriving from Renfrew via Campbeltown. Two days earlier, on 14th May 1933, the island’s first air ambulance flight, using a De Havilland Dragon aircraft, landed on the beach at the head of Lochindaal to collect a local fisherman suffering from abdominal pains.

The airport at Gelegadale opened for business in 1935 and was taken over by the RAF during World War Two. The hard runways that exist today at Islay originally date from 1940. The Avro Ansons of 48 Squadron, Beaufighter and Beaufort aircraft of 304 Ferry Training Unit used the new runways while flying boats of 119 Squadron landed in nearby Laggan Bay . By 1944 the airfield was under the control of Coastal Command and included three runways and six hangars. Personnel stationed there included 266 WAAF and 1,113 RAF servicemen.

Many different aircraft have used Islay Airport over the decades, ranging from a Hercules and a BAE 146 jet of the Royal Flight to the smallest microlights. Loganair now uses Saab 340s for scheduled flights to Glasgow and many charter aircraft from the UK and overseas land at the airport. Scottish Air Ambulance Service planes and helicopters are regular visitors along with a variety military and private aircraft.

The terminal building at Islay has also developed over the years and is now unrecognisable from the wooden hut that first welcomed passengers in 1935.

ENDS