A SCOTS airport management company is set to invest over £9m on new energy efficient systems at airports in Kirkwall and Inverness.
Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) is to invest in Aeronautical Ground Lighting (AGL) at the airports as part of an ongoing programme.
The programme aims to maintain airport infrastructure whilst bringing environmental benefits.
The AGL system provides visual guidance to pilots during landing, taxiing and take-off when it is dark out and/or visibility is impaired due to adverse weather conditions.
The system’s introduction hopes to ensure the airports can continue to operate safely and in line with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) requirements, whilst also reducing energy consumption by up to 80%.
Of the total fund, £5m is going towards Kirkwall airport with the remaining £4m to Inverness.
Graeme Bell, Inverness Airport General Manager, said: “The new lighting represents a significant modernisation of our airfield lighting system and will contribute to decreased maintenance schedules while at the same time reducing the airport’s environmental footprint.
“The energy saving qualities of the new system will contribute significantly to reducing our energy consumption at Inverness airport.”
Contractors GMR Henderson will carry out the work at Kirkwall with G&A Barnie selected for Inverness.
The development is set to begin in April with no impact on flights and little disturbance at the airports.
Kirkwall Airport Manager, Kimberley Fisher, said: “Having this new LED AGL system in place not only keeps our runways safe and compliant with regulation, but also supports our work to be more energy efficient.
“The project has been designed to create a seamless transition from the old to the new more sustainable system without impacting our services.”
Work will continue through to mid-September at Inverness, with Kirkwall due to finish in October.
