Airport History

A small airport with a big future

Islay, located just off the west coast of Scotland, is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides and home to one of 11 airports managed by Highlands and Island Airports Limited (HIAL).  

The airport provides vital connections to the mainland for the local population of around 3,300 people, enabling them to attend medical appointments, visit family and friends, attend events and more. There are also growing numbers of tourists coming to the island, keen to experience the local hospitality and scenery.

Loganair operates daily flights to Glasgow with flights to nearby Oban and Colonsay provided by Hebridean Airways. In addition to these flights, there are a range of users at the airport including the general aviation community ranging from single engine aircraft to large business jets.

Recent annual growth in passenger numbers is credited to two of the biggest commercial operations on the island – whisky distilleries and golf. Nial. Currently there are nine distilleries on the island including world renowned brands such as Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Bowmore with more in the pipeline to satisfy the increasing demand from overseas markets.

The site at Islay also has a long history, with the first airfield constructed in the 1930’s and it played an integral role during the Second World War. 

In 1940, Royal Air Force Port Ellen was built in tandem with a Costal Command station at Bowmore and was utilised by Sunderland flying boats. Two years later, the first tarmac runway was constructed at Islay and was predominantly used by the Costal Command and the RAF for training flights, convoy escort and maritime surveillance flights. During its peak, over 1,400 personnel were based at the aerodrome in Islay.

Many remains of former buildings and barracks are still visible today with an official count revealing that there were over 260 of these buildings in the proximity of the airport, although many are now just foundations. Following World War II, scheduled flights resumed, and the airfield was operated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).  In 1984, the CAA put seven Scottish airports up for sale and the ownership of Islay Airport was transferred to HIAL following their incorporation in 1986. 

Last year, Islay Airport benefitted from £5.5m of investment including the resurfacing of both runways along with the relocation of the airfield ground lighting units, which has helped to ensure the long-term future of the airport and the continuation of lifeline services and essential air connectivity.

As part of HIAL’s strategic aim to reduce its environmental impact, the team at Islay are part of a project run by NatureScot called Species on the Edge, to enhance habitat at the airport for adders. The Hebrides, have the most western population of adders in Europe and by creating sheltered areas they hope to improve conditions for successful hibernation.

The team are also working with the RSPB on a project to create nesting habitat for Little Terns by creating stone and gravel areas on the edges of the airfield, which are located away from airport operations and where they won’t be disturbed.

Working on these projects, in partnership with other organisation, is a key element of HIAL’s Sustainability Strategy, helping to reduce the impact that the operations of the airport can potentially have on the local environment. Residents as well as visitors value the island for its natural beauty, and this is what makes it so special, to the airport team.