Islay Airport

The History of Islay

The Isle of Islay is the most southerly island in the group of islands called the Inner Hebrides. It lies in the county of Argyll and is part of the region known as Strathclyde. Islay has been known for centuries as the 'Queen of the Hebrides' because of its beautiful scenery and mild climate. Islay lies only 24 miles to the north-west of the coast of Northern Ireland and about 20 miles from the coast of the Kintyre Peninsula. Islay has many beautiful sandy beaches which are lapped by the Atlantic Ocean; the largest being 7 miles long and situated beside the airport.

Islay has been famous for many years for the production of Islay Malt Whisky. There are 7 working distilleries on the island each producing its own unique flavour of whisky. As well as the whisky, Islay is at the forefront of modern technology as it has the first wave powered electricity generator, which has just been completed and is now producing power for the National Grid. Wave power is certainly one asset Islay has in abundance and plans are in progress to possibly increase the number of generators.

Islay is also famous for the wildlife which it has in abundance. There are many different species of wild birds, some of which are rarely found anywhere else in the British Isles. The seas around Islay are equally full of wildlife and the area is very popular with sports divers who come to explore the wildlife and also the large number of ship wrecks.

Islay Airport has been in existence at its present location since the 1930's. Prior to that the aircraft used to land on the beach just south of Bridgend. The present airfield was originally a grassed strip, when runways were built during the war years when the airfield was taken over by the RAF.

About Islay Airport

Islay Airport lies on the south west coast of the island. It enjoys strong summer traffic from the Scottish mainland and by charter from places like the USA for golf-based holidays on the island’s famous links course near the airport. Aircraft operations are supported by a Flight Information Service. An Airport Fire Service is provided on the basis of a Rescue and Fire Fighting Service category 3 airport as detailed in Civil Aviation Publication 168 and up to category 5 on request.

Airport Information

Flights
The following destinations are served by scheduled flights from this airport. Contact the airline directly for timetable and fare information.

Aircraft and Helicopter Charter

Disabled toilet facilities are now available.

Local Transport Information

Hours of Operation

HIAL Ltd.,
Head Office,
Inverness Airport,
Inverness
IV2 7JB

http://www.hial.co.uk