Island airports closed by strike action

22 December 2022

No regular flights operated at Barra and Benbecula airports today (Thursday) due to industrial action.

Stornoway Airport was affected in the morning but re-opened for afternoon and evening air services.

Fire-fighters, security and administration personnel were involved in the strike, the second to take place over a pay dispute.

Members of Unite the union rejected an 5% offer which they deemed unacceptable with inflation soaring to hit a 40-year high.

They voted by 73.5% in favour of taking strike action.

Shauna Wright, Unite industrial officer previously said: “We urgently need HIAL and the Scottish Government to get round the table.

“It’s an imperative that the relevant parties work together to save rural communities and retain jobs in the Highlands and Islands.

“With the necessary political will, we believe that our members’ pay, terms, and conditions across HIAL airports can be improved.”

Inglis Lyon, HIAL’s managing director said: “We will continue dialogue with the trade unions in an attempt to avoid further industrial action.”

He said the the claim for a rise of at least RPI is unrealistic.

Any pay deal above the present offer will mean cost savings from existing budgets he added.