Paul, 32, is the third local member of staff at the airport operated by HIAL to complete his training to become a fully qualified ATCO.

Lawrence Radley also validated this week as a Flight Information Service Officer (FISO) providing cover for Ambulance and Search and Rescue Aircraft at the airport.

Paul, from Virkie in Shetland, began his career at Sumburgh Airport as an administrative officer in 1997 and went on to qualify as a FISO in 2000 after completing his FISO and Met Office training.

He carried out his air traffic control training from April to September 2002 at the National Air Traffic Services’ College of Air Traffic Control at Bournemouth and has since been completing his validation at Sumburgh Airport.

Paul is the third member of staff from the six strong air traffic control team at Sumburgh to qualify as an ATCO after carrying out training both in Shetland and at the College of Air Traffic Control on the mainland, following in the footsteps of John Black and Mary Wheeler.

Paul said: "Today’s news confirms the investment in time and training that Sumburgh Airport has made in order for me to qualify as an air traffic controller. It has also been great to be able to live and work locally while developing my career with HIAL at Sumburgh, having started working at the airport as an administrative officer in 1997."

Airport Manager Nigel Flaws added: "We are delighted that Paul successfully completed his training at Sumburgh. As a company that takes staff development and training very seriously it is particularly pleasing that we now have three local members of staff who have completed this very rigorous training programme."

ENDS