Highlands and Islands Airport Limited (HIAL) has confirmed work has begun to upgrade the terminal at Barra Airport.
Work began yesterday (26 September) to refurbish the terminal building at one of the world’s most distinctive airports with its globally renowned beach runway.
The terminal was originally built in 1978 and saw passenger numbers of around 7,500 in the late 70s. This rose to approximately 14,800 per year before Covid-19. HIAL is investing approximately £1.5million to modernise the facility and make it more comfortable for passengers.
Michael Galbraith, Barra Airport Manager, said: “We are pleased to see work commencing on this project. The airport offers a unique opportunity for passengers to experience the world’s only beach landing runway with scheduled flights.
“This is a significant investment in the airport, which will allow us to support the increase in passenger numbers that we see year-on-year due to its popularity. The refurbishment project will improve facilities for passengers, visitors, and staff.”
Flights will operate as scheduled for the duration of the project, which is set to be completed by June 2023. The work will include the extension of the terminal building and landscaping work to the surrounding area.