A new precision landing aid becomes operational at Stornoway Airport today (Thursday 18 March) and heralds the beginning of a new era in aviation for the region.

HIAL installed the localiser as part of a programme of landing aid improvements at its airports, including Inverness and Kirkwall.

The localiser sends a radio beam along the extended centreline of the runway out to approximately 15 miles. Aircraft systems receive the beam and a display in the cockpit informs the pilot of their position in relation to the runway centreline. This allows the pilot to make a smoother and straighter approach rather than having to make large turns in the latter stages of the approach as was sometimes necessary before.

The localiser will reduce the number of weather forced flight cancellations as pilots can rely on the localiser to guide them in. This reduces the number of disruptions to passengers and improves the expanding service at Stornoway.

The £1 million installation of the system at Stornoway was carried out by National Air Traffic Services with work beginning on April 14 2003 and was completely funded by HIAL.

Paul Clarkson, HIAL’s General Manager Operations, said: “Thursday 18 March 2004 will see a further investment in aviation safety with the start of operations of the new localiser system on the main runway at Stornoway Airport.”

John Hay, Regional Manager West, added: “It’s great to see the system up and running. We are now able to offer the airlines and the travelling public a much safer and reliable service.”

Captain Akhurst, Flight Operations Director, said: “We are delighted that the localiser at Stornoway Airport is now operational, although the localizer only marginally improves the decision height at which an approach has to be abandoned, the fact that the aircraft is established much earlier on the centreline of the runway will greatly enhance the safety of operations at Stornoway Airport."

ENDS