Airport firm sets out future aims

The strategic plan sets out 10-year targets

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) has set itself a target of handling a million passengers a year by 2010 in a new 10-year plan.

The company which operates 10 airports has also made getting its own radar control room at Inverness a priority.

Radar cover at Inverness is provided by National Air Traffic Services and Ministry of Defence (MoD) operators at RAF Kinloss and RAF Lossiemouth.

HIAL lists efficiency savings and adding extra routes as other aims.

The targets are contained in the company's newly published 10-year strategic plan.

New routes

HIAL's managing director, Inglis Lyon, said airports were important to local economies across the region.

He said: "This plan sets out how we intend to be a catalyst for development within the Highlands and Islands while improving our efficiency as a business."

According to its annual report released last month, HIAL has handled record numbers of passengers.

In the year ending 31 March 2006, it said 1,152,895 passengers - 14% more than the previous year - used one of its 10 airports.

HIAL said the rise was partly due to the addition of new routes.