Sumburgh Airport is preparing for an influx of passengers travelling to Shetland for the 2005 NatWest Island Games XI.

A total of 19 charter flights are expected to fly into the airport over the weekend of 8 and 9 July, carrying 1,100 competitors and supporters from competing islands across the world. The flights will then depart over the following weekend. Loganair is also scheduling additional flights to meet demand for travel to the games which will be the largest ever event held on the islands.

HIAL is a major sponsor of the games and pledged £20,000 of funding to the event last October.

The Island Games, organised by the International Island Games Association, take place every two years and involve competitors from 24 member islands worldwide. Member islands include Aland, Alderney, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Faeroe Islands, Froya, Gibraltar, Gotland, Greenland, Guernsey, Hitra, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Jersey, Orkney, Prince Edward Island, Rhodes, Saaremaa, Sark, Shetland, St Helena, Western Isles and Ynys Mon.

Since the first Island Games in 1985, which were held in the Isle of Man, they have grown in popularity and in stature. The Guernsey Games in 2003 attracted more than 2,000 competitors.

The Shetland 2005 games will take place from 9 to 15 July 2005 and will bring an influx of international visitors and supporters to the islands. The event is being organised by the Shetland Island Games 2005 Ltd committee and will include competition in disciplines ranging from archery and athletics to gymnastics, sailing and windsurfing.

Nigel Flaws, Airport Manager at Sumburgh, said: “The Island Games are a major event and we are delighted to be able to support them. Many of the competitors and spectators will be arriving in Shetland by air so the airport will be playing its part in the games in many respects.

“HIAL is actively involved in supporting economic and social development in the communities served by our airports. The Island Games provide a unique opportunity for Shetland to promote itself on an international stage and we are very pleased to be backing this initiative.”

ENDS