Highlands and Islands Airports Limited has introduced aviation fuel at Campbeltown and Islay to encourage private pilots and charters to use the airports.

The provision of fuel for aircraft at both airports has been a long term goal for HIAL and has now been achieved.

The Avgas fuel is suitable for light piston engine aircraft and will be well received by the many private pilots who visit the airports every year. Up until now the lack of fuel has meant that aircraft were required to route via Prestwick, Glasgow or Oban before making their journey to Campbeltown or Islay. This has caused them extra costs in landing fees and in some cases has dissuaded them from travelling to the airports.

The fuel is being dispensed by members of HIAL’s Airport Fire Service from 2,000 litre fuel bowsers leased from Blackpool-based aviation engineering firm WayAuto.

The fuelling facilities are fully licensed operations and it is hoped that the service will increase the numbers of visiting aircraft at the airports which are popular destinations with UK and European private pilots and charters.

It is believed that the last time aviation fuel was dispensed from Islay Airport was during the Second World War.

Roy Cartledge, regional manager south with HIAL said: “We have been keen to introduce fuelling facilities at the airports for some time to encourage more private pilots to use the airports and visit both Kintyre and Islay. Members of the AFS at both airports are now fully trained and dispensing fuel and we are pleased to be offering this new service for general aviation traffic in the months ahead.”