A multi-million pound investment is underway at Inverness Airport, it has been revealed.

On Tuesday, the airport confirmed regional airport operator HIAL is to invest £1.4m on a project to resurface the airport's mile-long runway. In addition, work is also commencing on a £1.2m taxiway extension at the site.

The first project will involve replacing 1,800 metres of existing tarmac to extend the life of the runway for a further 20 years, while the taxiway extension will provide a link from the main runway to the site of the Inverness Airport Business Park. The link will also open up the area for potential future development, such as the opportunity for maintenance, repair and other aircraft facilities to be based there.

The work will be carried out by main contractor Colas Ltd and is expected to take up to 12 weeks to complete.

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It is understood the runway resurfacing will be mostly undertaken at night to avoid disrupting scheduled operations at the airport, with the taxiway extension being built simultaneously, day and night. It will not interfere with normal airport operations.

Inglis Lyon, Managing Director of HIAL said: "The resurfacing of the main runway is a challenging and complex project, particularly given the volume of traffic Inverness Airport handles.

"However, the runway is one of our most important assets and this essential work will help extend its lifespan and ensure the airport is able to accommodate the forecast growth in demand for air travel.

"The extension of the taxiway system to Inverness Airport Business Park is also a significant investment for the future. It will allow aircraft access to the emerging business park and enable the development of key maintenance, repair and other ancillary facilities on the site."

David Hastings, Chairman of Inverness Airport Business Park Ltd, added: "We welcome this investment in the airport's infrastructure, which will enhance Inverness Airport Business Park's appeal to companies looking for an airside base and underpin the business park's locational advantages to companies across a range of sectors which simply want to benefit from great connectivity."

The latest investment in the airfield follows the completion last year of an £850,000 project to upgrade the airport's south apron, which is essentially the main parking area for passenger aircraft.

(JP/IT)