Island communities set to bear the brunt of North airport action
Inverness and Wick John O'Groats will be open as normal on the 19th and 22nd of December.
Last updated 8th Dec 2022
Three airports serving remote island communities will be closed completely when staff walk out on strike for two days.
It follows the rejection of a 5% pay increase with almost three quarters of union members voting in favour of strike action.
Bosses at Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) have confirmed that the action by Unite on December 19th and 22nd will result in the closure of its airports on the Outer Hebridean islands of Barra and Benbecula, as well as Sumburgh Airport on Shetland.
Stornoway Airport on the Isle of Lewis will only be able to operate on a limited basis, and will be open between 1pm and 4.45pm on both days, while Kirkwall Airport in Orkney will be open between 7.15am and 1pm, for inter-island flights only.
The remaining six airports in the HIAL group, including Dundee, Inverness and Wick John O'Groats - will be operating as normal on both days.
HIAL managing director Inglis Lyon has insisted the union's demands were "unrealistic".
He said: "We deeply regret the disruption and inconvenience to our airline partners, passengers, and local communities that this action will cause.
"Against the backdrop of unprecedented financial pressures, we presented an enhanced pay offer to colleagues that maximised the flexibility within the Scottish Government's pay policy, which HIAL is bound by.
"We recognise the challenges colleagues face due to inflationary pressures and the cost-of-living crisis.
"We will continue dialogue with the trade unions in an attempt to avoid further industrial action."