Inverness Airport is bracing for weeks of disruption, with passengers warned that flights could be delayed or cancelled as “staffing issues” force periods of temporary runway closure. The airport, which handles around one million passengers a year and serves as a key gateway for the Highlands and Islands, has confirmed that air traffic control staffing problems will affect operations over the coming weeks.
Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), which operates the site nine miles east of Inverness city centre, said it expects to introduce intermittent closures of the airfield while it works through the ongoing resourcing challenges. The move follows disruption over the recent Bank Holiday weekend, when unexpected staffing shortages already led to problems for travellers.
A HIAL spokesperson acknowledged that the impact on passengers could not be fully avoided, even though the airport will try to limit the closures to quieter times. They said: “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. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause.”
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The spokesperson added that they recognised the knock-on effect for people travelling for work, holidays or family commitments, and apologised for the uncertainty. “We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Passengers should directly contact their airline for the most current flight information.”
Airlines operating from Inverness are now advising customers to keep a close eye on schedules and to be prepared for late changes. Travellers have been urged to check their flight status before setting off for the airport and to allow extra time in case of disruption. The Mirror reports that HIAL has been approached for further comment on how long the staffing issues are expected to last and what contingency plans are in place.
The warning comes despite Inverness Airport having previously been recognised among the best in Europe in Airport Service (ASQ) Awards, highlighting the contrast between its recent accolades and the current turbulence facing operations. For now, passengers are being told that safety and staffing capacity will determine when the runway can open, with normal service not guaranteed in the short term.
