Halcro Johnston seeks views on local airports
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston wants to hear local peoples’ views on the region’s airports.
The Scottish Conservative MSP is meeting with HIAL Managing Director Inglis Lyon later this month and has invited people living in the Highlands and Islands to have their say on what improvements can be made.
Mr Halcro Johnston said he was already aware of parking issues at Kirkwall and at Sumburgh airports but was keen to have more examples to put before the HIAL chief. He is also interested to hear thoughts on issues such as accessibility, connections getting to and from the airports, local facilities and any other suggestions people may have.
HIAL, which is headquartered at Inverness Airport, manages airports across the Highlands and Islands and is owned by the Scottish Government.
Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP said:
“Our local airports play a vital role in connecting communities across the Highlands and Islands, in bringing in tourists and others visitors and, of course, in ensuring quick medical evacuation in emergency cases.
“That’s why it’s crucial that they meet the key requirements of those local communities and, on the whole, I’m confident they do. However, my meeting with HIAL is an opportunity for any local concerns or issues to be raised with them so I hope people will come forward with their thoughts.
“I know from recent experience in Orkney that there are real issues with parking at Kirkwall Airport and I understand there are also issues at Sumburgh too. And this appears to be getting worse, not better.
“This is an opportunity for local people to have their say on how their local airport works, where there are problems and what improvements they want to see.”