HIAL is seeking a commercial partner to develop a hotel on its airport site at Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides following the granting of outline planning permission for the project by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council).

The airport operator has appointed leading Scottish commercial property consultancy Ryden to identify a prospective developer for a site of 2.2 hectares (5.5 acres) on the former RAF base.

Following the purchase of the airfield from the Ministry of Defence by Highlands and Islands Airports in 2000, an audit of land and buildings surplus to operational requirement was completed. With steadily increasing passenger numbers passing through the airport it was felt that capacity existed within the local accommodation sector for a mid-price, value for money hotel.

An ideal site for a hotel development was identified on the south-east edge of the airport, adjacent to the main road and is currently occupied by the former RAF accommodation block where Prince Andrew stayed when serving with the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. Ryden will now market the site to potential developers on either a lease or purchase basis.

John Hay, Regional Manager West with HIAL, said: "The granting of outline planning permission for a hotel development within the airport certainly makes this an attractive proposition for developers. Stornoway Airport boasts a modern terminal building and passenger numbers continue to rise with around 100,000 people travelling through the terminal in the past year. We now have more routes and seven day flying offering more frequency, more choice and cheaper fares to air travellers and passenger numbers are reflecting this. In December 2002 passenger numbers were 33% up on the same month in 2001, with November 28% up on the previous year. These figures are very encouraging, particularly during a statistically quiet time of year and out of the traditional tourist season.

"Stornoway and the Western Isles attract a wide spectrum of travellers from both the business community and public sector and this is also an increasingly important destination for inbound tourism from both the domestic and international markets.

"Of course, we are an airport operator rather than hoteliers and are now looking for a commercial partner to finance and run a hotel operation on the site we have identified."

Roy Durie, senior partner with Ryden in Edinburgh said: "This is a unique opportunity to acquire a hotel development site close to a growing airport at a time when Stornoway is benefiting from an increasing number of business and tourist visitors. The Western Isles is a unique visitor destination with tourists attracted by the fishing, sailing, archaeological sites, ancient monuments and rugged scenery."

Bob Macleod, Managing Director of HIAL, added: "The proposed hotel development at Stornoway Airport is further evidence of our commitment to not only facilitating air links in the region but also promoting economic development and sustainability. The development will generate additional revenue and business locally and create new jobs in the area."

For further information on the development site at Stornoway Airport interested parties should contact Roy Durie at Ryden’s Edinburgh office on 0131 225 6612.

ENDS