It is not often that your office is the centre of a major ongoing news story. Our building was in the process of being sold and the first I knew of this was when I read about it in a press release from Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd.

At first I did not make the connection I just knew that the name, New Century House, sounded vaguely familiar and then it hit me – they were selling our office. We later relocated to smaller offices overlooking the River Ness and then lockdown kicked in and have been working from home and with a recent move to hybrid working.

The move to centralise the air traffic control operation to one central location proved controversial with unions and politicians because it meant redundancies and removing jobs from local communities and they claimed safety would be compromised.

I have followed the story regularly over the past two years and ultimately their campaign reached a successful conclusion when the plans were eventually shelved.

A CENTRALISED air traffic control combined surveillance centre could be fully operational in Inverness by 2027, it has been revealed. 

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) has announced the latest phase of its air traffic management programme aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of its operations in Scotland. 

The airport operator has identified New Century House – base of Highland News and Media Group – as the location for the new centre and talks to acquire the building are understood to be at an advanced stage. 

However, the proposed move has been criticised by politicians and unions claiming it would cut jobs and compromise safety. 

The system, which was first announced in January 2018, would place Inverness at the heart of its air traffic management project. 

It would bring together air traffic management at five airports into a single location including airports at Sumburgh, Dundee, Inverness, Kirkwall and Stornoway. 

And downgrading services at Benbecula and Wick John O’Groats would revise the level of air traffic service from an air traffic control service to an aerodrome flight information service, similar to that used at its airports at Campeltown, Islay, Tiree and Barra. 

Inglis Lyon, HIAL managing director, said both sites would have flight information services only and added: “For the staff at Benbecula and Wick, they will have the option to come and join us at the centre or stay in revised roles.” 

He said it would also involve discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority, as well as airline partners, and added: “What we are hoping to do is to conclude the purchase of New Century House sooner rather than later.” 

The building would require a complete refit, to ensure it delivers the requirements for the air traffic management system programme, and Mr Lyon said this would be put out to tender. He predicted the redevelopment could be completed within two-and-a-half years and fully occupied by 2027. 

However, David Avery, a negotiator with the Prospect union, said: “These plans from HIAL are ill-thought-through and do not adequately take into account safety concerns or deliverability. 

“Despite several misleading claims, HIAL has also completely failed to consult on the strategic direction of the plans leaving communities, workers and other stakeholders with no say over what happens to vital services.” 

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, also condemned the changes and said: “I have been told that this project relies on superhigh bandwith to succeed. We all know that many of our remote and rural areas do not have this so how can HIAL press on regardless?” 

She said HIAL seemed intent on pushing it through despite consultants identifying the remote tower as the most costly and risky option.

• And this is how the story ended:

www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/prospect-union-claims-major-victory-264180

From The Inverness Courier on Tuesday, January 21, 2020.