by Douglas Matheson
editor@obantimes.co.uk
MSP John Finnie has accused Highlands and Islands Airport Limited (HIAL) of ‘wasting’ more than £18,000 of public money on a study into its controversial proposals to centralise air traftc control services. A study by HIAL concluded the best location for the planned centralisation was Inverness, where the government-owned agency has its headquarters. However, Mr Finney has criticised the choice, arguing the move would take skilled jobs away from other locations, including the islands. The Green Party Highlands and Islands MSP said: ‘HIAL’s proposal to slash jobs throughout remote, rural and island communities by centralising its air traftc control operation is short-sighted and will disadvantage the communities it is supposed to serve by centralising skilled jobs. ‘My latest research has revealed HIAL has spent £18,602 on a study which found Inverness was the prime location for this centralised system. ‘It beggars belief that such a sum was spent stating the obvious. ‘Instead of spending thousands of pounds telling us what we already know, it would serve HIAL better if it listened to the expert air traftc controllers and their trade union Prospect and ensured these important, skilled jobs remain in communities fithroughout the Highlands and Islands.’ Prospect aviation off cer David Avery had pointed to concerns over the move back in January, saying: ‘Any centralised monitoring system will be dependent on a reliable, resilient and secure communications infrastructure between the mainland and the islands which simply does not exist.