North airport bosses is recruiting for a team to implement a new remote air traffic control system to operate seven airports from a single site.
Seven Inverness-based jobs – with a total annual salary of up to £375,393 – are being advertised by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (Hial), including a programme director who would receive a pay of up to £95,000 a year. Other advertised roles include project advisors on finance, human resources and procurement.
A Hial spokesman said: “The positions advertised will for the time being be located within Hial’s headquarters in Inverness.
“However, no decision has been taken on where the remote towers operational centre will be located. An independent consultant is undertaking an options appraisal study which will make a recommendation to the Hial board in July.”
The new operations centre would be sited at one of Hial’s airports, including the possibility of Dundee. It is not impossible that there could be two operational centres but this is thought to be very unlikely.
The advert on the Hial website states that the Highlands has “much to offer as a place to live and work,” referencing the Office of National Statistics declaring Inverness as the happiest place to live in the UK in 2016.
It adds: “As well as being an area of outstanding scenery, the Highlands have a great deal to offer in terms of culture, sport and entertainment – with something to please everyone. The diverse and dramatic landscapes are ideal for outdoor sports and leisure pursuits from hill walking, climbing and cycling to golf, skiing, fishing and sailing.
“The region has a rich and vibrant mix of cultural traditions, natural heritage and contemporary entertainment. An excellent education system, clean environment, low crime rate, affordable housing plus a strong sense of community, provide an excellent quality of life.”
Hial managing director Inglis Lyon said previously that the number of air traffic control staff – 75 jobs – will stay the same over the next 10 to 15 years as the £28-30 million remote camera technology system is phased in.
The new technology is being brought in to “future proof” its operations in a context of challenges with staff recruitment and retention, increasing regulation in the industry, more air traffic demand and more pressures on costs.
Swedish airports at Ornskoldsvik and Sundsvall became the first in the world to be controlled by digital tower control in Sundsvall in 2015.
The new operation centre will be responsible for air traffic management at Hial airports at Sumburgh in Shetland, Inverness, Wick, Kirkwall, Stornoway and Benbecula and Dundee.
Airports at Barra, Tiree, Islay and Campbeltown have different levels of air traffic usage and will not be affected by the changes.