Last year’s Barra Fly In attracted 16 light aircraft from across the UK despite bad weather and the local organisers had hoped to hold the 2003 event on 26 April. The organisers have now cancelled the 2003 event.

Tides at Barra’s Traigh Mhor beach landing strip on 26 April meant that aircraft would have been unable to overnight on the beach and no suitable alternative parking stance was available at the airport. The proposed use of land adjacent to the airport was also deemed unsuitable due to insurance and public liability requirements that the organisers were unwilling to assume responsibility for.

Roy Cartledge, Regional Manager South at HIAL said that he was keen for organisers to look at other possible dates rather than shelve plans for the popular event on the private flying calendar following the cancellation by the organiser of the 26 April date.

"Unfortunately the tide times on 26 April ruled out the overnighting of aircraft on the beach and although we carried out full risk assessments for other possible parking stances on grass we were unable to identify a safe alternative," said Mr Cartledge.

"The organisers had proposed using land next to the airport for the planes but this would have involved them obtaining both land permissions and aviation and public liability insurance at considerable expense. HIAL could not undertake to accept these liabilities on their behalf due to the considerable risk involved on land outwith our operational control.

"We have put in a great deal of effort in terms of time, personnel hours and expense to assist the organisers with both last year’s event and this year’s event. Despite bad weather last year the fly in was a success and we are very keen to support this type of community-led project as it brings money into the local economy and promotes Barra as a tourist destination. Private flyers are among the highest spending tourism groups in the UK.

"We have advised the organisers of the unsuitability of this year’s date and actively encouraged them to identify other suitable days to ensure the fly in goes ahead and can be contained within the boundaries of the airport. As an airport operator, safety is our paramount concern and cannot be compromised. Barra Airport is a challenging landing for pilots who may be unfamiliar with the local geography and beach landings. We must ensure that any event of this type takes place in the safest possible conditions, including the ground organisation," said Mr Cartledge.

ENDS