HIAL has refuted criticism of spending plans for Wick Airport in its new corporate plan as inaccurate and unfounded.

Bob Macleod, Managing Director of HIAL, said: "The development of Wick Airport as an asset for the communities and economy of Caithness and Sutherland forms part of HIAL’s corporate objectives.

"As a publicly subsidised body we must weigh benefits and costs and achieve best use of our resources across our 10 airports. Airport infrastructure is expensive to maintain and the bulk of our operating costs are driven by the regulatory requirements governing the operation of airports.

"To say that Wick has been stifled through lack of funding flies in the face of the facts. We have invested more than £3 million in capital projects at Wick in the last three years, representing a huge commitment to the airport and the community it serves. The result is a facility ably equipped to service current needs and with the capacity to cater for the types of scheduled service and charter aircraft likely to use the facility in the future. Work included the main runway refurbishment (£1.7 million), a new fire training ground (£296,000) and environmental works (£755,000). Next year will see a further £1 million invested in terminal improvements, including baggage x-ray facilities to meet National Airport Security Programme requirements," said Mr Macleod.

"We are also committed to working with stakeholders to progress development at the airports, including Wick, and if they consider these a priority investment for their available capital resources then our door is always open."

Mr Macleod also hit back at critics who claimed HIAL did not see Wick as a route development priority. The airport is currently served by Loganair, with flights to Kirkwall and Edinburgh, and by Eastern Airways to Aberdeen.

He said: "To those who criticise flights as expensive I can only say that pricing is down to basic commercial aviation economics in situations where smaller aircraft are used. Operators have little flexibility on fares where seats are limited and passenger numbers are lower. The airlines set their fares, not HIAL.

"It has also been suggested that the airport’s current performance is dismal. This is a slur on both the dedicated staff that work there and on the airlines operating from Wick. From 1 April to 31 October of this year 18,114 passengers travelled via Wick. This represents 448 fewer passengers than in the same period in 2002-2003 or a 2.4% decrease. A small decrease, but far from dismal.

"In terms of route development we talk to airlines, both existing customers and potential new operators on a daily basis regarding all our airports. However, the fact remains that passenger volumes are the critical factor for airlines when they look at new routes. The population within Wick Airport’s catchment area is relatively small and at present it would appear that services are meeting demand.

"The members of Wick Airport Consultative Committee should be well aware of these facts given that they have pursued, with the aid of aviation consultants, potential new operators for almost a decade without successfully identifying a viable new service for the airport," said Mr Macleod.

HIAL also cautioned against unrealistic expectations for airports in the region, warning that inflated expectations for Wick’s development would do little to improve services.

"People are being misled if they think that there are airlines clamouring to fly into Wick that are being stopped by us. We are always keen to hear the views of our partners and stakeholders on what could be achieved but the airport business is one based on pragmatism and realism," he said.

"The corporate plan summary issued recently is part of this process and we await with interest the responses we will receive to it. Ultimately, it provides a strategic framework for our development and the attainment of our corporate aims and objectives. It will continue to evolve as a working document as the aviation industry changes in coming years," said Mr Macleod.

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