HIAL reappraises its priorities in response to strategic spending review - 8 September 2022

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) has confirmed its intention to scale back its air traffic modernisation plans

In response to the funding challenges facing the country and the Scottish Government’s broader strategic spending review published on 31 May 2022, Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) has confirmed its intention to scale back its air traffic modernisation plans.

HIAL’s management team presented a paper to the Board at its meeting on 24 August 2022 highlighting the impact of the considerable gap between the funding available and the company’s operational and strategic plans, including its air traffic modernisation proposals.

HIAL Chair Lorna Jack said: “Our overriding focus is to deliver safe, reliable, and sustainable aviation services for the communities we serve.

“Like many other businesses, HIAL must reappraise priorities and spending options and make difficult decisions based on the extraordinary circumstances we are all facing as global economic pressures impact our day-to-day activities and our future plans.

“The Board is considering several options to help address the current fiscal position and decided one of the options will be to scale back air traffic modernisation plans for the duration of the strategic spending review. This aligns with the five-year review agreed with the trade unions in January this year.

“The HIAL Board remains in dialogue with Transport Scotland regarding the reduction of funding and its effect on frontline service delivery.”

HIAL’s air traffic controllers vote to accept new direction for ATMS - 21 February 2022

Following the framework agreed by HIAL and Prospect, working groups were formed with HIAL’s air traffic control colleagues to discuss a new way forward for the implementation of HIAL’s ATMS.

The HIAL Board met on 24 January to discuss the future direction of the air traffic management strategy (ATMS) and was provided with a summary of the outputs from these working groups to assist deliberations.

The Board agreed the future strategic direction for the ATMS programme. This would comprise a centralised surveillance operation for Sumburgh, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Inverness, and Dundee airports, based at our existing approach radar facility on the Inverness Airport Site.  Air traffic tower services would continue to be provided locally at each of these airports.   The scope for a review of air traffic services in five years’ time was agreed between HIAL and Prospect.

Prospect balloted its members on the acceptance of this revised proposal. The ballot closed today, Monday 21 February, with the majority of HIAL’s air traffic controllers accepting the new direction for the programme.

Inglis Lyon, HIAL’s managing director said: “We are pleased that our colleagues have recognised the level of engagement and the compromise position that HIAL and Prospect have worked hard to achieve.  This alternative delivery of the ATMS programme would benefit our teams, our local communities and help futureproof air traffic services for the Highlands and Islands.

“There is much work to do and moving forward we will continue to work closely with our colleagues and seek their input to develop the necessary detail.”

Separate working groups will be established to discuss the future service delivery options for Benbecula and Wick John O’Groats airports.

Air Traffic Management Strategy – Technology Assurance Review, Assurance of Action Plan - February 2022

Following the technology assurance review health check of the Air Traffic Management Strategy (ATMS) in January 2021, the Scottish Government’s Digital Assurance Office (DAO) undertook an Assurance of Action Plan review on 25 – 26 October.

This review was set in the context of the framework agreed by both HIAL and Prospect to establish a mutually agreeable way forward for the implementation of the ATMS strategy.

An independent review team leader reviewed the appropriateness of the action taken by HIAL in response to the recommendations of the assurance health check carried out in January 2021.  The review team leader found that HIAL had responded positively to all the health check recommendations and confirmed that 10 of the 12 recommendations could now be closed. 

A further recommendation relating to the inclusion of material in the Programme Management Manual has since been completed.  The remaining recommendation, relating to project governance within the Programme, is to be further reviewed once a decision is taken on future ATMS delivery options. 

We welcomed the official notification that 10 of the 12 recommendations were considered closed and the recognition of HIAL’s positive response to all recommendations raised. Full details of the recommendations and the actions taken to close them are included in ATMS Technology Assurance Review: Health Check Action plan.

It was recommended a further Health Check review be undertaken once the new scope and direction of the ATMS programme has been agreed.   This is included with other recommendations when the revised scope is known.  Full details can be viewed in the Technology Assurance Review: Assurance of Action Plan - Actions

The DAO owns the report.  However, as with the previous review report, HIAL sought permission from the DAO to publish it on the HIAL website.   The DAO provided HIAL with a redacted version of  Air Traffic Management Strategy – Technology Assurance Review, Assurance of Action Plan Report.

HIAL welcome the vital role of independent governance and will continue to work with the DAO for the duration of the ATMS project to provide assurance on the delivery of the programme. 

HIAL sets out future direction for Air Traffic Management Strategy - 27 January 2022

The HIAL Board met on 24 January to discuss the future direction for its air traffic management strategy (ATMS).

The Board was provided with a summary of the outputs from several working groups which took place with ATC colleagues and informed proposals for alternative delivery options.

Following extensive discussion, the Board agreed the future strategic direction for the ATMS programme. This will comprise a centralised surveillance operation for Sumburgh, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Inverness, and Dundee airports, based at our existing approach radar facility on the Inverness Airport Site.  Air traffic tower services will continue to be provided locally at each of these airports.

The decision will now allow Prospect to ballot its members on the acceptance of the revised proposal.

Given the positive feedback from Prospect on the working groups as part of this process, the Board agreed that a further working group should be established to discuss the future service delivery options for Benbecula and Wick John O’Groats airports.

The output of this group will be presented at a future meeting of the HIAL Board to inform the strategic direction for these airports. 

Lorna Jack, HIAL’s Chair said: “We’ve listened to the feedback from our colleagues and island communities in reaching our decision.  This alternative delivery of the ATMS programme will provide enhanced safety and resilience to our operations and retain air traffic controllers on the islands.

“While this sets the future strategic direction for the programme, the Board recognises that further detailed work will be required with colleagues before a comprehensive business case can be presented to Transport Scotland.  This will include a review of our island impact assessment.”

Inglis Lyon, Managing Director of HIAL said: “We were pleased to note the encouraging feedback from Prospect on the constructive working relations that have been developed through the staff working groups.

“We look forward to continuing this positive approach with Prospect and our colleagues as we move into the next phase of detailed operational design.

“We hope the Board’s decision will enable the current industrial action to be brought to a conclusion and allow us to move forward together to deliver our fundamental aim – a modern, sustainable air traffic service for the Highlands and Islands.”

ATMS – Joint Statement from HIAL and Prospect - 25 October 2021

HIAL and Prospect have agreed a framework for discussion to establish a new way forward for the implementation of HIAL’s air traffic management strategy (ATMS).

Prospect has agreed to suspend all industrial action while these talks continue.

Both parties have been engaged in discussions to seek a mutually agreeable approach for the modernisation of air traffic services at HIAL’s airports.   Talks have been constructive with both HIAL and Prospect agreeing a middle ground to move the discussions forward.

The discussions will focus on:

  • The introduction of a surveillance programme across the HIAL network with surveillance services provided for Stornoway, Sumburgh, Kirkwall, Inverness, and Dundee airports from a combined surveillance centre in Inverness. 
  • The phasing out of procedural air traffic control services and the adoption of more modern and widely used techniques, practiced globally.
  • Air traffic services being provided locally at Stornoway, Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Dundee for the duration of the surveillance programme, with air traffic control for Inverness being provided remotely from the combined surveillance centre.
  • A review of air traffic provision against a scope, agreed by HIAL and Prospect, to inform the next steps of the programme.   The review to be undertaken at the end of the surveillance programme, or at five years, whichever is soonest.
  • It has been agreed that further separate talks will take place on air traffic services for Benbecula and Wick John O’Groats airports.

This is a considerable process and any proposal as a result will have significant cost, regulatory and governance hurdles to overcome.

Inglis Lyon, HIAL’s MD said: “This marks a significant and positive step. We are pleased that Prospect has suspended the industrial action.   This will allow the discussions to move forward without further disruption to our passengers and airlines. 

“This compromise will help both parties minimise the impact of the air traffic management programme on our communities and colleagues whilst continuing with key elements of the modernisation programme.

”Our airports provide lifeline and essential services and ensuring a safe and resilient air traffic management system that will future proof our airports remain our priority. The work we will undertake over the next few months will help us meet that objective.

“While there is much work to do before we have a final proposal, we are pleased with the progress that has been made.  It is important that we have the time and space to continue these constructive talks and develop the proposal.”

David Avery, Negotiation Officer for Prospect said:  “We welcome the decision of the HIAL board to work with their staff and communities to find a solution which not only delivers safety improvements but also protects local jobs and services.

“Prospect has always said that it wants to work with HIAL to come up with the best way to improve air traffic control services in the Highlands and Islands. This is a good step forward which we hope will eventually form the template for a safer and more effective ATMS while retaining most of the jobs and skills in remote communities.

“On behalf of members, I would like to thank everyone who has supported Prospect members’ campaign to bring about this new approach to air traffic services across HIAL"

Digital Assurance Office Report - 26 May 2021

Air Traffic Management Strategy – Technology Assurance Review: Health Check

As we move forward with ATMS, adopting best practice and monitoring project progress within our internal governance framework is crucial. 

We welcome the vital role of independent governance in providing appropriate challenge and support for key decision and progress points across the project life, as well as providing assurance on the delivery of the programme.

We identified areas where independent oversight could assist the ATMS project team with programme delivery and specific technical aspects within the programme.

The ATMS programme is required to observe the Technology Assurance Framework, administered by the Scottish Government’s Digital Assurance Office (DAO), which includes assurance of major projects during their lifetime. Therefore, an independent review team undertook a Health Check Review on the ATMS Programme on behalf of the DAO. 

The review team, which is independent of the ATMS programme and accredited by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, made recommendations relating to programme management, governance, resourcing, procurement and strategic oversight and assurance.  HIAL welcomed and agreed with the recommendations and immediately actioned them.

Ten of the 12 recommendations identified in the Technology Assurance Review have been actioned with good progress on the outstanding recommendations.  The DAO has discussed the action plan and supporting evidence and the effectiveness of the actions will be considered by the independent review team at the next Health Check.

Full details of the recommendations and the actions taken are included in ATMS Technology Assurance Review: Health Check Action plan.

The DAO owns the report.  However, following a request from the Scottish Parliamentary Petitions Committee, HIAL asked that the DAO share the report with the Committee and also sought permission to share the report internally with its colleagues and to publish it on the HIAL website.

HIAL will continue to work with the DAO for the duration of the ATMS project, and the date for the next Technology Assurance Review is currently being scheduled.  

HIAL is focused on applying learning and embracing best practice and external governance and oversight will be a feature of the ATMS programme as it progresses.

Benbecula Airport - Change of Category of Air Traffic Service - 21 May 2021

In December 2019, Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) Board approved a recommendation to pursue a change in the level of Air Traffic Service (ATS) provision at Benbecula and Wick John O’Groats airports from an Air Traffic Control (ATC) service to an Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) as part of its wider air traffic management modernisation programme.  The project to deliver this service level change will involve two phases - phase one is the Benbecula Airport Transition Project which is underway and runs from August 2020 to April 2022.  Phase two is the Wick John O’Groats Airport Transition Project which will run from January 2022 to December 2023. 

Benbecula Airport is one of HIAL’s 11 airports located in the Outer Hebrides off the West Coast of Scotland.  The airport currently provides an Air Traffic Control (ATC) Service for circa 4,000 aircraft movements per annum and traffic levels are not expected to significantly increase in the future. The airport serves scheduled flights to and from Stornoway, Inverness (via Stornoway) and Glasgow Airports and is also used by charters, general aviation, air ambulance and search and rescue (SAR) flights outside published operating hours.

Due to the low number of aircraft movements, low complexity of the airspace environment and the nature of the operation at Benbecula airport, HIAL proposes to change the level of Air Traffic Service (ATS) provision from an Air Traffic Control (ATC) service to an Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS). This will provide an ATS service level that is proportionate and more appropriate for the level of traffic served whilst ensuring the continued provision of a safe, efficient, and regulatory compliant ATS to the airport and its airspace users. This change in ATS is expected to have minimal impact on flights operating to and from Benbecula and no changes to aerodrome facilities or operational hours.

This change will follow the airspace change proposal processes prescribed by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in Civil Aviation Publication (CAP) 1616 and the safety assurance processes prescribed in CAP 760.  The information document below offers a concise background, context, rationale and description of the change and focuses on the Benbecula transition phase of the project.

Benbecula Airport - Change of Category of Air Traffic Service – Information Update  21 April 2021

HIAL publishes Air Traffic Management Strategy Impact Assessment - 05 March 2021

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) has today published a report following an independent Impact Assessment of its Air Traffic Management Strategy (ATMS).

The overall objective of the process has been to assess the economic and community impact of ATMS and, where relevant, undertake Island Community Impact Assessments (ICIAs).

The report explores the potential impacts on local communities, both positive and negative, resulting from ATMS.

The strategy will introduce remote integrated air traffic control services for the five airports – Inverness, Dundee, Stornoway, Kirkwall and Sumburgh. This will be delivered via a Combined Surveillance Centre (CSC) located in Inverness.

Additionally, Benbecula and Wick John O’Groats airports will change the way air traffic management is delivered by extending their current AFIS (Aerodrome Flight Information Service) operations.

The report, by Reference Economic Consultants, makes clear that the status quo is not sustainable. Therefore, it compares the impact of the ATMS programme with what HIAL had considered as an alternative option – a local surveillance solution based at existing airports. The report clearly notes why local surveillance was not viable and was discounted.

The local surveillance option was explored but was discounted – not just because it was the most costly option identified in the Helios consultancy report of 2017 – but because it did not offer the same level of staff resilience, operational flexibility or recruitment and retention benefits that the ATMS option offers.

An online survey of HIAL’s air traffic staff was undertaken as well as a full consultation programme with relevant communities, local authorities, community councils and national politicians. The trade union Prospect was consulted as well as air operators.

HIAL chair Lorna Jack said: “We welcome the report and commend the author on a thorough and challenging examination of the issues.

“The commissioning of the report demonstrates our commitment to listen and do everything we possibly can to mitigate any impacts. We want to work with colleagues and communities to find practical solutions.

“We appreciate that a programme of this magnitude and complexity will bring significant change for people in our communities, including our highly-valued air traffic control colleagues.

“However, standing still is not an option – we must modernise. ATMS is the only option that provides the necessary levels of resilience required to ensure long-term sustainable air traffic service provision for the communities we serve.”

HIAL has identified and put forward numerous initiatives aimed at making the transition as manageable as possible.

The Board has accepted the potential impacts on local employment and economies and agreed with the further recommendations to explore where HIAL’s operations can create more economic activity for island communities. HIAL intends to commission an independent study to identify where that can be done, specifically for Lewis, Orkney, Shetland and Uist.

HIAL managing director Inglis Lyon, said: “We have always known there would be impacts by undertaking such a significant and complex change management programme.

“To date, there have been no alternative proposals that provide a solution that fully addresses all of the challenges HIAL currently faces.”

HIAL has written to all relevant local authorities to request meetings and has offered to work together with stakeholders to identify where it can contribute further to local economies.

Mr Lyon said: “We hope that everyone with a vested interest in the long-term future of air traffic services in the Highlands and Islands will work us to deliver viable solutions that will maintain lifeline services and essential connectivity for generations to come.”

For more information and to view the report, please see our Impact Assessment page.

Tender for remote tower solution - 04 May 2020

Highlands and Island Airports Limited has invited tenders from world-class providers to deliver remote tower technology as part of the next phase of its Air Traffic Management Strategy Programme. This technology will help deliver sustainable aviation connectivity and deliver a flexible, resilient air traffic service that will be highly adaptable as we ensure our airports are fit for the future.

The successful bidder will be expected to be involved in the design, supply, delivery and installation, as well as commissioning and testing of equipment at Inverness, Sumburgh, Kirkwall, Dundee and Stornoway airports.

You can view the tender documents online at Public Procurement Scotland website.

To support the implementation and the delivery of the remote air traffic tower solution there will be additional future procurement processes, including the refurbishment of the new Combined Surveillance Centre at New Century House, in Inverness and the provision of a surveillance solution.