Highlands and Islands Airport's Annual Report (3MB pdf - Scottish ...

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CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT
Volcanic Ash at the start of our year and severe winter weather
towards the end has had a considerable effect on our results.
The former cost the company £600,000 in lost revenues and
the latter £1,900,000 in costs. The fact that we were able to
complete the year with a loss worse than budget of a reduced
sum of £1,521,000 speaks volumes for our staff in finding
savings during a most difficult period.
A year ago we faced a reduction
in our revenue grant from the Scottish
Government of £1,100,000. We have
made huge efforts to achieve these
savings through reducing operating
costs, insurance costs, fuel and power
costs, and payroll costs but we have
not compromised safety in any way.
Security and safety remain a constant
subject of Board meetings. Our in-house
security company has continued to train
staff to a high level of commitment
coupled with a user-friendly approach.
Our safety systems and reporting thereof
have been improved. The whole question
of security in the islands has been the
subject of discussion in the light of the
EC 300 regulation (which regulates
Aviation Security in the European Union)
and any possible relaxation of the
standards. This is a difficult subject
and we await comments from the
Westminster Parliament.
The appointment of Roxhill Developments
to spearhead our activities in Inverness
Airport Business Park will result in
real progress around Dalcross. This
investment, with our partners, Moray
Estates, Highlands and Islands Enterprise
and Highland Regional Council should
now start to provide construction work,
jobs and future business for the airport.
In its continuing efforts to engage with
the public the Board held open days
in Kirkwall, Lerwick and Stornoway. The
attendance was modest but welcome.
The feedback we received most helpful.
One suggestion has resulted in a change
in our website on reporting arrivals and
departures. Car parking charges were
high on the agenda in these locations!
We have decided to delay any decision
on these charges.
There have been no major changes in our
airports. But it is worth recording that the
Macrihanish Airport Community Company
has indicated an interest in acquiring
Campbeltown Airport from the Ministry
of Defence. We remain in contact with
them about the future arrangements.
Since the end of our financial year and
looking ahead we congratulate our
Managing Director and flybe on reaching
agreement to commence a service to
Amsterdam from Inverness on a daily
basis. This is hugely significant for the
Highlands and I urge the population in
our area to make full use of this excellent
connectivity. All our airlines contribute
hugely to our success but mention must
be made of Loganair who provide the
back bone of our island services and
do so extremely well.
Dr Mike Cantley and Andrew Castell have
been re-appointed to the Board for a
further term of three years. I thank them
and the rest of the Board for their support
during a difficult year. However special
praise goes to all our staff for their staunch
support during a trying year as mentioned
in my first paragraph. They never fail to be
cheerful and have always gone the extra
mile for our customers and airlines.
Grenville Johnston
Chairman
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