Three air traffic controllers have completed training within the last ten days, reducing vacancies to three in the full complement of 33.

HIAL’s progress in recruiting and training air traffic controllers takes place against an international shortage of qualified personnel and the restricted availability of training slots.

Managing Director Bob Macleod said: "We have made significant progress over the last year and the addition of three new controllers will enable us to move forward with plans to extend operating hours.

"A further six personnel are going through their training at the moment and we expect them to qualify and come available next year. But we will continue recruitment as development proposals mature, ­particularly our planned introduction of 24-hour operation at Inverness Airport."

Two of the three additions to HIAL’s air traffic control staff are experienced controllers -­ Jim Britton (27), who has completed a three-month validation process at Stornoway Airport, and Russell Schild (31), who has validated at Kirkwall Airport.

Former Orkney maths teacher Andrew Walker (38) has validated at Sumburgh Airport. He will remain in Shetland until he completes further training when he will return to his home airport at Kirkwall.

Current plans by HIAL include extending weekday opening hours at Kirkwall and Stornoway airports, and meeting airline requests for the opening of Kirkwall and Stornoway for new Sunday services.

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