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Islay Airport (IATA: ILY, ICAO: EGPI) is a small rural airport located on the island of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland. The airport, also known as Glenegedale Airport, is owned and maintained by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited. Islay Airport was constructed in 1940 during World War II as RAF Port Ellen and later returned to commercial operations in 1947. Today, the airport provides vital links to the Scottish mainland and is known for its stunning approach over the inner Hebridean islands and Kintyre.
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What You'll Learn
Islay Airport history
Islay Airport, also known as Glenegedale Airport, is located 4.5 nautical miles north-northwest of Port Ellen on the island of Islay in Argyll and Bute, off the west coast of Scotland. The airport is a small, rural airport owned and maintained by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.
The history of Islay Airport dates back to the early days of aviation in the region. Commercial aviation arrived in Islay in 1928 when a passenger aircraft from Renfrew (now Glasgow Airport) landed on the beach at the head of Loch Indaal. This experimental landing marked the beginning of air services to the island. The first scheduled passenger flight took place on May 16, 1933, operated by Midland Scottish Air Ferries using the same beach airstrip. This flight also marked the first air ambulance evacuation on the island, as a local fisherman was airlifted to safety two days before the official start of services.
In 1935, a new airfield opened at Glenegedale, the site of today's Islay Airport. Initially, flights operated from grass runways, and services were provided by Midland and Scottish Air Ferries, who offered flights from Glasgow via Campbeltown. However, this company closed down in late 1934, and the services were taken over by Northern & Scottish Airways, who operated a De Havilland Dragon aircraft three times a week from Glasgow. In 1937, Northern & Scottish Airways amalgamated with Highland Airways to form Scottish Airways, who offered daily flights from Glasgow to Islay, operating six days a week.
During World War II, Glenegedale Airfield was taken over by the Royal Air Force and became known as RAF Port Ellen. The RAF constructed concrete runways, and the airfield played a strategic role in defending against a potential German assault on the Scottish mainland and providing a base for reconnaissance missions over the Atlantic Ocean. Over 1,500 RAF personnel were stationed at RAF Port Ellen during the war.
After the war, in 1947, Scottish Airways Ltd and its subsidiary, Western Isles Airways Ltd, were nationalised and taken over by British European Airways Corporation. Islay Airport continued to operate as a regional airport, serving as a gateway to the island. Today, the airport offers daily flights to and from Glasgow, Colonsay, and Oban, and it is also used by charter aircraft, private aircraft, and air ambulances. The airport has undergone various upgrades and improvements over the years, including runway resurfacing and the addition of a modern passenger terminal, enhancing the safety and accessibility of air travel to and from Islay.
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Transport to and from the airport
Islay has its own airport, Islay Airport (ILY), located just over 5km north of Port Ellen, and 2.5km from the island's second-largest settlement, Bowmore. The airport is served by two airlines, offering flights to a number of destinations.
By Car
Islay Airport is easily accessible by car, with parking available directly outside the terminal building. The airport is located just off the A847, which runs between Port Ellen and Port Askaig. The A846 is the other main road on the island, connecting Port Askaig and Bowmore.
By Bus
There is a bus stop located directly outside the airport terminal, with regular services connecting the airport to Port Ellen and Bowmore. The bus journey to Port Ellen takes around 10 minutes, while the journey to Bowmore takes around 5 minutes.
By Taxi
There are a number of local taxi companies operating on Islay, offering transfers to and from the airport. Taxi ranks can be found directly outside the terminal building, and the journey to either Port Ellen or Bowmore takes around 5-10 minutes.
By Ferry
For those wishing to bring their own vehicle to Islay, there are a number of ferry options available. The closest ferry terminal to the airport is at Port Ellen, with regular services to and from the Scottish mainland. The ferry terminal is located around 15 minutes' drive from the airport, and a similar distance from Bowmore.
By Air
Islay Airport is served by two airlines, offering flights to a number of destinations in You may want to see also Islay Airport, also known as Glenegedale Airport, is a small, rural airport located 4.5 nautical miles (8.3 kilometres) north-northwest of Port Ellen on the island of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland. The airport is owned and maintained by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), a public corporation wholly owned by the Scottish Ministers. HIAL operates 10 other airports across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Islay Airport features a single terminal building, which includes a pick-up and drop-off area situated adjacent to it. The terminal showcases several skilfully crafted wall hangings made from hand-cut pieces of linoleum, with Gaelic text that translates to "May the birds of friendship of the Gael be forever woven into the web of your life". The airport offers free car parking, including disabled bays, and a long-stay car park for those leaving their vehicles for more than three days. The airport has a concrete runway, which was resurfaced in 2002 at a cost of £2.1 million and again in 2022 as part of a £5 million investment by HIAL. Islay Airport's navigational aids were modernised and upgraded in 2003. The airport takes safety seriously, as evidenced by the daily testing of its fire and rescue equipment. Islay Airport operates daily flights to and from Glasgow, Colonsay, and Oban, providing scheduled services to the Scottish mainland and air ambulances. The airport has a rich history, initially providing services from Glasgow via Campbeltown by Midland and Scottish Air Ferries in 1933. Over the years, various companies have operated flights to and from Islay, including Northern & Scottish Airways, Highland Airways, and Scottish Airways. More recently, Loganair has also provided services to and from the airport. The airport's website provides information on security and check-in requirements, as well as details on bus services, car hire, and taxis for travellers. It also offers additional assistance for passengers with impairments or mobility difficulties, which can be arranged prior to arrival. You may want to see also Islay Airport, also known as Glenegedale Airport, is located on the island of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland. The airport has a rich history that dates back to the early days of aviation in the region. During World War II, the airport was known as RAF Port Ellen, and it played a significant role in the defence of the Scottish mainland against potential German assaults. In 1940, Winston Churchill ordered the construction of military airfields in the western islands of Scotland, and Islay Airport was one of them. The airport received a concrete runway in 1942, and during the war, over 1,500 Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel were stationed there. Prior to its military use, the airport had seen some early commercial aviation activity. In 1928, a passenger aircraft from Renfrew (now Glasgow Airport) made an experimental landing on the beach at the head of Loch Indaal. This was followed by the island's first scheduled passenger flight in May 1933, operated by Midland Scottish Air Ferries using the same beach airstrip. The first air ambulance evacuation also took place in 1933, when a local fisherman was airlifted to safety after falling seriously ill. After the war, the airport continued to serve both commercial and military purposes. In 1957, the airport was the site of a tragic accident when a Scottish Air Ambulance Service flight crashed during bad weather, resulting in the deaths of all three occupants. In more recent years, the airport has undergone several upgrades and improvements, including a £2.1 million runway resurfacing project in 2002 and the modernisation of its navigational aids in 2003. In 1994, Prince Charles made headlines when he overshot the runway while landing an RAF aircraft, although no one was harmed in the incident. Today, the airport continues to operate daily flights to and from Glasgow, as well as weekly flights to nearby destinations, serving both passengers and air ambulances. You may want to see also Islay, a small island off the west coast of Scotland, is home to the small rural Islay Airport, also known as Glenegedale Airport. The airport is owned and maintained by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), a public corporation wholly owned by the Scottish Ministers. HIAL also operates and manages 10 other airports in Scotland. Islay Airport was constructed in 1940 during World War II as RAF Port Ellen, receiving a concrete runway in 1942. Over 1,500 Royal Air Force personnel were stationed at the airport during the war. After the war, the airport was taken over by Scottish Airways Ltd and its subsidiary company Western Isles Airways Ltd, which was nationalised in 1947. The airport is located 4.5 nautical miles (8.3 kilometres) north-northwest of Port Ellen and operates daily flights to and from Glasgow, Colonsay, and Oban. It features a unique form of art in the terminal building: skilfully created wall hangings made from tiny hand-cut pieces of linoleum. One of these wall hangings features the Gaelic text: "May the birds of friendship of the Gael be forever woven into the web of your life", which is also written on the floor in Gaelic. The airport has a rich history, including a notable crash in 1957, when a de Havilland Heron 1B operating a flight for the Scottish Air Ambulance Service crashed on approach to Islay in bad weather, resulting in the deaths of the three occupants. In more recent times, in 1994, the Prince of Wales made headlines when he overshot the runway while landing an RAF aircraft. In 2024, HIAL announced a collaboration with Nature Scot's Species on the Edge and the RSPB to establish a safe nesting habitat for the endangered Little Tern bird at the airport. You may want to see also Yes, there is an airport in Islay. Islay Airport (IATA: ILY, ICAO: EGPI) is located 4.5 nautical miles (8.3 kilometres; 5.2 statute miles) north-northwest of Port Ellen on the island of Islay in Argyll and Bute, off the west coast of Scotland. Islay Airport was constructed as RAF Port Ellen in 1940 during World War II and received a concrete runway in 1942. In 1947, the airport returned to commercial operations after the RAF vacated the premises. Today, it is operated by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited and serves as a vital link between Islay and the Scottish mainland.Airports' Eco-Friendly De-icing Fluid Management: Recovery Strategies
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