Work to Start on Wick Airport Terminal Upgrade

Work is set to start on the upgrade of Wick airport’s terminal building to meet new security requirements.

The works project, which will cost in the region of £800,000, will see a range of improvements introduced and enhance passenger comfort. It will include a new departure lounge, enlarged concourse area, new check-in desks, office accommodation and a hold baggage x-ray facility.

The upgrade to the terminal is being carried out by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited to comply with National Aviation Security Programme requirements.

The principal contractor is O’Brien Construction Limited and work is scheduled for completion by the end of April 2005.

The airport operator has invested more than £3 million at Wick in the past three years. Work included the main runway refurbishment (£1.7 million), a new fire training ground (£296,000) and environmental works (£755,000) to meet Scottish Environmental Protection Agency requirements for the treatment of run-off water.

HIAL’s managing director, Bob Macleod said: “We have invested more than £3 million in capital projects at Wick in recent 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 general aviation traffic likely to use the facility in the future.”

Angela Donaldson, regional manager north said: “We are working closely with the contractor to minimise disruption to passengers using the terminal and the end result will be an upgraded building that offers better facilities to our passengers.”

In the year ending 31 March 2004, Wick airport handled almost 29,000 passengers and 6,300 aircraft movements. BA franchisee Loganair and Eastern Airways operate scheduled services at Wick and the airport receives a wide range of charter, private, lifeline and military flights.

Ends (03.09.04)

For further information please contact Nathaniel Anderson, HIAL PR Manager, on 07795 666115.

Notes to Editors:

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited manages and operates 10 airports in the North and West of Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Executive. The airports range from the principal hubs at Inverness, Kirkwall, Stornoway and Sumburgh to those at Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Islay, Tiree and Wick.

The company is responsible for providing airport infrastructure, facilitating lifeline air links, developing air traffic in the region and supporting economic sustainability and social inclusion in Scotland’s remoter communities.

In the year ending 31 March 2004 the 10 airports handled 934,000 passengers and more than 81,000 aircraft movements. Passenger numbers ranged from 5,600 at Tiree to 484,000 at Inverness.

For further information see the www.hial.co.uk website.