Inverness Airport is set to play a key role in promoting the bid for European Capital of Culture, Inverness Highland 2008.

Since Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) opened its new terminal building at Inverness in 1999, airport management has worked on developing a gateway project to create a strong identity for both the airport and the area it serves.

Through this Gateway Project, the airport has put together what airport manager James Walton describes as "a unique concept of arts, business and culture working together."

The first phase of the project was unveiled today (Thursday, March 14) by Bryan Beattie, co-ordinator of invernesshighland2008, with the installation of a new piece of public art commissioned by HIAL and supported by Inverness and Nairn Enterprise.

Created by a group of local artists from art.tm, the ‘Welcome’ piece combines with the hanging of paintings from the Scottish Arts Council contemporary art collection in the terminal building to form the first steps in a series of gateway initiatives.

James Walton said: "It has always been our intention to promote the airport’s position at the centre of a vital regional air transport network and reflect the culture of the confident and vibrant community it serves.

"As well as serving regional business interests and the wider community, Inverness Airport is an important gateway for visitors who contribute millions of pounds to the Highland economy every year."

The gateway project, said Mr Walton, was designed to stimulate tourist interest, and maximise their contribution to the economy, by emphasising the airport’s regional role, presenting images and information on the area and promoting a full range of the region’s products and services.

"We are inviting Highland businesses and public agencies to use the terminal to promote the area and boost visitor interest. Our aim is to create a dramatic visual impact which communicates the special qualities of the area and encourages visitors to travel further, strengthening their desire to return."

Bryan Beattie welcomed the opportunity to unveil the work and the commitment of airport management to the European Capital of Culture bid.

"This project embodies many of the values of the bidding process," said Mr Beattie. "It brings the private sector and the community together, it gives opportunities to Highland artists and it’s showing off who we are and what we can do to thousands of visitors and locals, day-in, day-out.

"We will certainly highlight the airport’s commitment to this type of project in our bid. It will show the competition judges the broad level of support there is in the area, as well as the innovative approaches that can be taken.

"This adds to the growing level of support we’ve received from regional and national agencies. The EU place great importance on bidding cities being easily accessible. Hopefully, our bid will add strength to HIAL’s ongoing commitment to improve the range of air links to Inverness and the Highlands."

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Issued: Thursday, March 14, 2002.