Air traffic controllers working for the Highlands and Islands Airport Limited (HIAL) have voted in favour of strike action in response to a pay dispute.

Following a rejection of a 2% pay offer made in 2018, the controllers, who are members of the Prospect Union plan to begin striking in April and continue throughout the summer. Seven airports will be affected including Benbecula, Dundee, Inverness, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh and Wick John O’Groats.

Inglis Lyon, managing director of HIAL said he was disappointed that controllers had chosen to take industrial action. He said the it will have a “significant impact” on passengers and the communities which we serve. He added: “The Prospect Union requested a double-digit pay award, but as a government sponsored agency, they [HIAL] must follow the Scottish government pay policy. We cannot implement pay awards more than that directed by government.”