HIAL today (Wednesday 11 August) welcomed the granting of planning permission to extend Sumburgh Airport ’s 09/27 runway.

The runway extension is a priority for the members of Sumburgh Airport Strategic Partnership (SASP), including Highlands and Islands Airports Limited, Shetland Islands Council, Shetland Enterprise and the airport consultative committee.

Bob Macleod, Managing Director of HIAL, said: “The airport is an important economic and social asset for the people and businesses of Shetland and its future development is something we work on in close partnership with both local stakeholders and the Scottish Executive.

“The runway extension would enable existing aircraft flying to the airport to operate without the current weight restrictions and also enable the development of jet traffic. New traffic could be developed both to the UK mainland and on east-west routings to Scandinavia and the Faroes. Larger aircraft with more seating capacity also create more economic scales of operation for airlines with the likelihood of cheaper fares. This would be of obvious benefit to the local economy and communities,” said Mr Macleod.

The finance for the £10 million runway extension, if approved and successful in its funding bids, is expected to come from several sources, including HIAL, Shetland Islands Council, Shetland Enterprise, the Scottish Executive and the European Regional Development Fund. This partnership project would draw down maximum benefit for Shetland from external funding sources.

Nigel Flaws, Sumburgh Airport Manager, said: “Air travel is the most convenient means of travelling to and from Shetland and we, along with the our SASP partners, are committed to its further development. The runway extension is a key element of this programme and is supported by the council, enterprise company and airport consultative committee.

“Ultimately, it is the people and businesses in Shetland that benefit from increased air connectivity, new routes and higher passenger numbers and this is why HIAL and the local agencies and bodies are working together to realise these goals,” said Mr Flaws.

ENDS