Highlands and Islands Airports (HIAL) decision to base its new air traffic control (ATC) centre in Inverness will put jobs at risks, Prospect warns.

The decision has prompted the three unions who represent HIAL staff Prospect, Unite and PCS to seek an urgent meeting with new Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Michael Matheson.

The decision means that high paying jobs will be removed from HIALs other ATC locations in Benbeculla, Stornoway, Dundee, Wick, Kirkwall and Sumburgh removing more than £3 million of direct employment from rural economies once all post are relocated to Inverness.

Prospect negotiations officer, David Avery, said: “The HIAL board have taken this decision without undertaking an assessment on the impact on local communities. For our members this is far too late and it’s clear that HIAL intend to proceed regardless of what the report may tell them.

“Our members are highly skilled professional air traffic controllers who have significant operational and safety about the concept of remote towers and its implementation in Scotland. These views on the overarching direction of the project have been ignored at every stage by HIAL.

“We are seeking an urgent meeting with the new Cabinet Secretary for Transport Michael Matheson to discuss our concern and once again reiterate our call for a public consultation into proposals which fundamentally change the way people travel in Scotland.”