Safeguarding at our airports

Safeguarding

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) operate 11 regional airports. For each airport, we are required to have an active policy on aerodrome safeguarding. Aerodrome Safeguarding is a legal requirement. It is required under:

  • ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) Regulations
  • EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) Regulations

These regulations have been adopted by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Safeguarding involves an assessment of any development or activity taking place in the area near to or surrounding our aerodromes. This is to ensure any developments or activity do not adversely affect the safe operation of landing or departing aircraft.

HIAL has a responsibility to ensure that its aerodromes are safe for use by aircraft. The aerodrome safeguarding process is included in UK Legislation. It is part of planning procedures as outlined in the Town and Country Planning (Safeguarded Aerodromes, Technical Sites and Military Explosives Storage Areas) (Scotland) Direction 2003. There are various developments which have the potential to compromise the safe operation of our aerodromes. HIAL, therefore, safeguards these developments through the planning process.

Further information can be found in CAP 738 – Safeguarding of Aerodromes CAP 738: Safeguarding of Aerodromes (caa.co.uk) and CAP 764 – Policy and Guidelines on Wind Turbines (caa.co.uk).

For all Aerodrome safeguarding enquiries, please email: safeguarding@hial.co.uk