Strike action closes Kirkwall Airport

Today, Thursday, sees Kirkwall Airport shut as air traffic controllers strike.

The ongoing pay dispute between Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) and the air traffic controllers sees five other airports shut at Benbecula, Dundee, Inverness, Stornoway and Sumburgh.

The controllers have been taking industrial action short of a strike since April.

Orkney’s MSP Liam McArthur said: “This strike action is going to be hugely disruptive to communities across the Highlands and Islands. Here in Orkney, we already know about the impact it has had at the start of this year’s Folk Festival.  

“I hope this will concentrate minds of those in HIAL and the trade unions who need to sit down in the coming days and resolve this long running and damaging dispute. People in Orkney rightly expect everything to be done to lift the threat that currently hangs over their lifeline air services.”