Ministers under attack over air traffic control strike

The Scottish government is under attack over the strike among air traffic controllers, which is taking place today in protest against centralisation plans.

Isles MSP Beatrice Wishart has voiced her despair at SNP ministers for allowing the long-anticipated walk-out among Prospect Union members to go ahead.

Sumburgh Airport has remained silent today, as has other airports under the Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (Hial) umbrella.

Hial is looking to move air traffic control to Inverness – a move which would lead to jobs moving away from local economies.

An independent report carried out for Prospect estimated £18 million would be taken away from island communities if implemented.

Last week Ms Wishart asked Scottish Ministers to think again on the plans. That followed a response Ms Wishart received to a parliamentary question revealing the Scottish government had not discussed the Island Communities Impact Assessment on the Air Traffic Management 2030 Strategy (ATMS).

Ms Wishart said: “It is extremely disappointing that Scottish ministers have ignored the strong feeling of Hial staff.

“This could all have been avoided if the Scottish government hadn’t been so inflexible. Ministers haven’t been serious enough to discuss the plan’s impact on island communities.

“Ministers must stop the current plans now and think again.”

NO COMMENTS

Add Your Comment

Add Your Comment

Please note, it is the policy of The Shetland Times to publish comments and letters from named individuals only. Both forename and surname are required.

Comments are moderated. Contributors must observe normal standards of decency and tolerance for the opinions of others.

The views expressed are those of contributors and not of The Shetland Times.

The Shetland Times reserves the right to decline or remove any contribution without notice or stating reason.

Comments are limited to 200 words but please email longer articles or letters to editorial@shetlandtimes.co.uk for consideration and include a daytime telephone number and your address. If emailing information in confidence please put "Not for publication" in both the subject line and at the top of the main message.

200 words left

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

logo

Get Latest News in Your Inbox

Join the The Shetland Times mailing list to get one daily email update at midday on what's happening in Shetland.