The long-running series of pay disputes which savaged airport services across the Highlands and Islands have ended, say Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd. 

Prospect and Unite balloted their members on an enhanced pay offer from Highland & Islands Airports Limited’s (HIAL) which was positively received by the trade unions.

The ballot closed yesterday (Monday 20 March) with members of both Prospect and Unite voting to accept the revised pay offer.

HIAL Managing Director, Inglis Lyon, said: “We are pleased that the enhanced offer has been accepted by colleagues.

“We are sorry that the industrial action and route suspensions have caused considerable disruption for passengers and our customers, particularly for those on our island communities who rely on our airports to support essential and lifeline services. 

“We also apologise for the significant impact the action has had on our airline partners.

“This positive result will provide our partner airlines with the certainty they require to plan air connectivity for their passengers.”

Scotland's airline Loganair suspended all flights from Inverness to the islands as a result of the disputes.

Another union, PCS has still to confirm the outcome of their ballot process.   HIAL has a very small number of Aerodrome Flight Information Officers (AFISOs) and administration/support staff based at Head Office, Barra, Inverness, Kirkwall, and Stornoway airports who are members of the PCS Union.  

Ballot Outcome:

The enhanced offer comprised the following:

• 7% for all those earning up to £44,000,
• 5% for those earning between £44,001 and £80,000,
• 4% for those earning above £80,001 effective from 1 April 2022
• A 5% increase to fixed allowances, not automatically updated by the percentage increase to basic pay.