Na h-Eileanan an Iar MP Angus MacNeil has spoken of his delight that HIAL have decided to delay any decision about reducing Air Traffic Control services at Benbecula Airport for at least 5 years.

Commenting Mr MacNeil said:

“Two weeks ago I wrote to HIAL with a number of questions of concern about the plans for downgrading Benbecula Airport, about the jobs, salaries, the impact on aviation and also the impact on the community in Benbecula – and Uist more widely.

“I am delighted to hear that HIAL are not going to be implementing any changes at Benbecula Airport for at least 5 years. This will be a huge relief to not only users of the airport but also to the staff at Benbecula Airport who do an excellent and important job of controlling aircraft movements at the airport.

“We just have to make sure that in the end we have a HIAL that is truly an islands organisation and not a mainland organisation, I think we are heading in that direction, I hope this trend continues, especially given the announcement on Stornoway last month. This news is very welcome and almost exactly what we were looking for.

“I’d also like to commend the airport staff, those in the local community and Prospect Union for their campaigning to save these jobs.”

ENDS