Work will soon get underway to resurface the runway and apron at Tingwall Airport, which is expected to take around four weeks.
Essential resurfacing work to the entire length of the runway will mean that the airport is closed for all flight operations from Monday 5th May, up to and including Friday 30th May.
During this period all inter-island flights will operate to/from Sumburgh Airport, returning to Tingwall Airport from Monday 2nd June. There are some updates to the flight timetable operated by Airtask during this time, which is available at www.airtask.com/passenger-transport
Travel connections to and from Tingwall Airport will be maintained with adjustments made to the existing Dial-a-Ride Service that links the Viking Bus Station to Tingwall Airport, to connect passengers to Sumburgh Airport. Passengers will need to book this service by 4pm on the day before travel using the existing Dial-a-Ride number – 01595 745745.
Any passengers travelling to/from Sumburgh Airport will also be able to take the regular service bus (Service 6) which connects the South Mainland with Lerwick. More details are available at www.zettrans.org.uk/travel/public-transport/bus or on the Shetland Travel App available at - travel.shetland.org/
The resurfacing work at Tingwall Airport will be carried out by the Council’s Roads Service, with some additional plant hired in for the work. The project will place a heavy demand on the Council-run Scord Quarry to supply the estimated 3500 tonnes of asphalt that will be laid on the 805 metre-long main runway and apron.
During the month of May, the Council’s Scord Quarry will prioritise the supply of asphalt to the Tingwall Airport runway resurfacing project to complete the works on schedule. Any contractors needing asphalt during this time are asked to contact the quarry to discuss availability, depending on the quantity they may need.
The resurfacing work is needed to improve the integrity of the runway, which has deteriorated in recent years, needing increasing maintenance. This essential work is needed for flight operations to continue for years to come and for continued licencing by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The cost of the resurfacing works is estimated to be around £1.3M.
Tingwall Airport is owned by Shetland Islands Council, with inter-island air services specified by regional transport partnership ZetTrans, and flights operated by AirTask Group Ltd.
Moraig Lyall, Chair of the Council’s Environment and Transport Committee, and ZetTrans, said: “Resurfacing the runway at Tingwall Airport represents a major investment by the Council to support the communities in Foula and Fair Isle who rely on lifeline flights for many aspects of island life.
“Tingwall Airport, in the Central Mainland, is an important component of our resilience as an island group and this investment in the infrastructure will enable it to remain an important hub for inter-island flights.”