HIAL welcomes the partnership approach to assuring the future of Sumburgh Airport

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) today (Thursday, March 7) welcomed the announcement by Lewis Macdonald, Deputy Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning, that Sumburgh Airport would remain in HIAL’s ownership.

Managing Director Bob Macleod said: "We see this decision as an opportunity to move forward in partnership with Shetland Islands Council and all other local stakeholders to revive commercial activities at Sumburgh and to ensure that the airport fulfils the needs and aspirations of islanders.

"Stakeholder partnerships are at the core of HIAL’s work to realise the full potential of our ten airports throughout the Highlands and Islands, for which we have enjoyed the full support of the Scottish Executive.

"We are currently pressing ahead with a major initiative to win new oil-related business for Sumburgh through a marketing strategy agreed with Shetland Islands Council and Shetland Enterprise last week. As part of this strategy, we are investing £127,000 in refurbishing the former British International Helicopters hangar at Sumburgh to help us meet anticipated growth in demand from the oil industry.

"Sumburgh is our second largest airport after Inverness. In the current financial year, capital and operational costs of £4.7 million will be met by revenues of £2.2 million and a subsidy of £2.5 million from the Scottish Executive. We are totally committed to Sumburgh’s future development and success in supporting the economic and social development of Shetland."

>>> ends

Issued: Thursday, March 7, 2002.