The Board of HIAL today (24 March 2005) approved the airport operator’s £2.6 million funding contribution for the extension of Sumburgh Airport’s 09/27 runway.

The plan to extend the airport’s instrument runway, which will cost in the region of £10 million, has been the key aim for the members of the Sumburgh Airport Strategic Partnership for more than two years. The partnership comprises HIAL, Shetland Islands Council, Shetland Enterprise, and Sumburgh Airport Consultative Committee. The project is also one of Hitrans’ strategic infrastructure priorities for the region.

Funding commitments from the SASP partners and the Scottish Executive are all now in place along with match funding from the European Regional Development Fund, Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme 2000-2006.

The detailed design phase for the project has now been completed and the contract to build confirmed with Balfour Beatty. The works will be project managed by Shetland Islands Council and work on site is expected to start at the end of April. The project has a target completion date for the extended runway becoming operational by 31 October 2006.

Bob Macleod, Managing Director of HIAL, said: “The lengthening of the runway by 320 metres will allow larger aircraft to take off and land, improve the reliability of passenger services and make it possible to develop new air routes. It should also enable us to develop new oil industry traffic at the airport in the future.”

Nigel Flaws, Sumburgh Airport Manager with HIAL, said: “A huge amount of effort on the part of all the partners has gone into realising this project. I am pleased to say that we will soon see work start on the site.

“This is an important development for the airport, the islands and the future of air services that provide vital socio-economic benefits to Shetland. It will also support our plans for the development of the Wilsness Hill area within the airport site.”

ENDS