Passengers at Inverness Airport are facing major disruption over the coming weeks due to staffing issues that will force temporary closures of the airfield. The airport, which handles around one million passengers annually, will see flights affected as air traffic control problems persist.
Staffing Issues Cause Temporary Closures
Highlands and Islands Airport Ltd (Hial) has announced the expected disruption without providing specific details about the cause, other than attributing it to staffing issues that will necessitate temporary closures. Passengers have been urged to contact their airlines for up-to-date information on flights. Already, unforeseen staffing issues over the recent Bank Holiday weekend led to flight disruptions.
Inverness Airport, located nine miles east of the city centre, is a key transport hub for the Highlands and Islands. It hosts carriers including Loganair, TUI, KLM, easyJet, and British Airways, offering routes to destinations such as London, Majorca, Belfast, and the Outer Hebrides.
A Hial spokesperson stated: "Staffing issues at Inverness Airport continue and will necessitate temporary closures over the coming weeks. We will try, wherever possible, to plan closures around our flight schedules - however this may not be possible and some flights may be affected." They added: "We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause. Passengers should contact their airline directly for latest flight information."
Recent Recognition as Top European Airport
The disruption comes after Inverness Airport was named one of the best in Europe in the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards last year. It was listed among the top six airports in Europe serving under two million passengers annually. The awards, determined by Airports Council International, recognise airports with the top 20 percent overall satisfaction score based on passenger surveys.
Inverness was the only UK airport in its category, and indeed the only hub not based in Spain. The only other UK airport included in the awards was Newcastle International Airport in the two to five million passengers per year category.
Following that recognition, Graeme Bell, General Manager of Inverness Airport, said: "To win these awards for the fifth consecutive year is an incredible achievement and a proud moment for everyone involved with Inverness Airport. Being recognised for the third year running as the Airport with the Most Dedicated Staff in Europe as well is a testament to the hard work, passion, and commitment of our entire team."
