"Scottish island airport protected from sea"

Thursday, October 3, 2002

Island airport protected from sea
United Kingdom - The Scotsman


WORK will start soon to stop an island airport runway being eaten away
by coastal erosion. 

The sea has been attacking the western boundary of the main runway at
Benbecula for some years and there had been fears that it could reach
the tarmac shortly if nothing is done. 

Now Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) is investing oe500,000
in coastal protection works at the airport, one of ten managed by the
state-owned company. 

A 500-metre stretch of coastline will be reconstructed and landscaped
using metal cages filled with rock in the first phase of the scheme,
following advice from engineers. 

John Hay, manager for HIAL's western region, said: " The coastal
protection work will ensure this problem does not encroach on
operational areas of the airfield and will protect the runway and
landing lights at the airport." 

Work is scheduled to be completed by January 2003 and will not disrupt
the normal operation of the airport which last year handled 4,087
aircraft movements, 35,918 passengers and 1,470 tonnes of freight. 

Benbecula Airport is used by three scheduled operators, BA City Express,
Highland Airways and Loganair.


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