Highland Airways has expanded its business base with the formation of its own engineering maintenance department at its headquarters at Inverness Airport.

The move follows the regional airline’s success in achieving the latest European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part 145 approval and will enable its engineering department to maintain both its own and other customer aircraft at Inverness.

Highland Airways will be able to carry out line and base maintenance on Jetstream 31, Reims Cessna F406 and Cessna 400 series aircraft, and line maintenance on ATR42-300 aircraft. By providing this service it is hoped that new operators will be able to fly to and from the Highlands.

Highland Airways was amongst the first batch of European aviation companies to gain EASA Part 145 approval, which replaces the previous industry-standard JAR 145 aero-engineering certification. EASA is responsible for producing common technical and administrative procedures to ensure the continuing airworthiness of aeronautical products, parts and appliances subject to European Commission regulations.

The airline was supported by Inverness and Nairn Enterprise (INE) in the business development of its engineering facilities.

Until recently Highland Airways’ in-house engineering department worked under the JAR145 approval of its sister company Atlantic Aeroengineering Ltd of Coventry.

After investment and recruitment over several years, the company has met the regulatory standards to operate as a fully-fledged engineering services provider. Following a recent regulatory inspection further enhancements to its engineering services are currently being implemented.

The company maintains its own fleet of aircraft at its Inverness hangar but also undertakes third party work for other airlines at the airport. This capability makes the airport infrastructure more attractive to new entrants into the Highlands who are able to draw on locally-based engineering expertise.

Engineering manager Ben Adeyileka said: "Hard work and commitment by our team in the hangar has achieved full recognition for our engineering capabilities. We now employ 11 highly trained staff in the facility, with two further specialists being appointed as we speak.

"We recognised that a strong engineering capability will help underpin its operations in the future and has consistently invested in its engineering infrastructure. We also look forward to expanding the services we offer to third party airlines and flight operators at Inverness."

Basil O’Fee, commercial manager with Highland Airways, said: "By investing in and developing an engineering department that meets the highest European standards we are pledging our commitment to providing the people of the Highlands with safe, low cost and efficient travel. We are currently running some excellent price promotions and with the introduction of our own engineering department we will be able to continue our progressive commercial approach to aviation in the region."

A spokesman for INE said: "We are delighted at this development which adds to the capability of Inverness Airport to handle future growth opportunities. Highland Airways has demonstrated that local Highland companies can compete nationally and we at INE support their efforts to grow their engineering and maintenance facilities."

Alex Johnson, commercial and marketing manager at Highlands and Islands Airports Limited added: "Highland Airways’ expanded engineering capabilities will undoubtedly help to enhance the attractiveness of Inverness as the region’s principal aviation hub."

ENDS