This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Islands airports ready for take off
23/04/2002
The Scottish islands received a significant boost today when new airport terminals were opened at Stornoway and Kirkwall.
First Minister Jack McConnell flew between the Western Isles and Orkney to perform both ceremonies. He said tourists, businesses and local residents all stood to benefit from the improved infrastructure, highlighting the fact that both sets if islands had already seen an increase in tourist bookings this year.
Deputy Transport Minister Lewis Macdonald, who spent his childhood in Stornoway, joined the First Minister at both ceremonies. Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace, the local MSP for Orkney, also attended the Kirkwall opening.
Mr McConnell said:
"Whether you live in a city or in the islands, good transport links are vital and Scottish Ministers are committed to delivering a sustainable, efficient transport network across Scotland. These terminals, which represent the single largest investment in island air services since the Second World War, clearly demonstrate how seriously we treat this commitment.
"They will provide a huge boost for local residents and businesses bringing these facilities into the 21 st century. They will also act as gateways to the isles for tourists, making air travel a more modern and attractive proposition.
"Last year was particularly difficult for our tourism industry but I am delighted that early figures for this year point to a marked recovery in 2002. In the Western Isles, bookings are up 10 per cent while brochure enquiries are up by 36 per cent compared to last year. This is significant, when you consider that tourism is worth over £32 million to the Western Isles' economy each year.
"It's a similar picture in Orkney where the tourist board has seen a significant increase in bookings for the first three months of the year. I hope this pattern will continue throughout the year and will be replicated across the country."
While in Kirkwall, Mr McConnell also performed the sod-cutting ceremony for the new Instrument Landing System which will improve reliability by allowing aircraft to land in lower cloud than is currently possible.
Mr Macdonald added:
"Thanks to the Executive's record levels of support, Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) have been able to replace the 1930s terminal buildings with facilities fit for the 21 st century.
"HIAL's airports provide vital social, business and welfare links for island communities, as well as making it easier for tourists to visit, and we are committed to maintaining these lifeline links for the benefit of everyone who uses them."
Mr Wallace said:
"Like all island residents, I know that air services are an essential part of the transport network - not just a luxury reserved for holidays and business executives. The new terminal is another sign that Kirkwall airport is on the up and I am delighted that further investment - including a new fire station, engineering workshops and hangar - is also planned.
"I'm sure local residents will be particularly pleased that work will today officially start on the new Instrument Landing System which will mean fewer cancelled or diverted flights."
In summer 2000, the Executive announced additional funding of £3 million for HIAL to help fund the replacement of terminals at Stornoway and Kirkwall and introduce the Instrument Landing System at Kirkwall. Total investment from the Executive and its partners in the Stornoway terminal is £2.9 million, while £2.5 million has been invested in Kirkwall and the ILS investment will be £1.889 million.