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Islay Airport (IATA: ILY, ICAO: EGPI) is a small rural airport located in Glenegedale, 4.5 nautical miles (8.3 kilometres) north-northwest of Port Ellen on the island of Islay in Argyll and Bute, off the west coast of Scotland. The airport, which opened in May 1933, is currently owned and maintained by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), a public corporation wholly owned by the Scottish Ministers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 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 |
| Other Nearby Locations | 4.9 miles from Port Ellen, 5.5 miles from Bowmore, and behind the broad beach of Laggan Bay |
| Year Opened | 1933 |
| Owner | Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), a public corporation wholly owned by the Scottish Ministers |
| Terminal | One terminal with check-in, car hire, waiting areas, and The Drome Cafe |
| Accessibility | Fully accessible |
| Transport | Accessible by bus, car, and taxi |
| Runway | Concrete runway constructed in 1942 |
| Services | Charter aircraft, private aircraft, air ambulance helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft |
| Airlines | Flybe, Hebridean Airways |
| Destinations | Glasgow, Oban, Colonsay |
| Historical Events | 1957: Scottish Air Ambulance Service crash; 1994: The Prince of Wales overshot the runway |
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What You'll Learn
- Islay Airport is located 4.5-8.3 miles from Port Ellen, north-northwest of the town
- The airport is small and rural, with one terminal, and is run by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited
- It was opened in 1933 and was initially serviced by Midland and Scottish Air Ferries
- Islay Airport is used for scheduled flights to the Scottish mainland and air ambulances
- During World War Two, the airport was taken over by the Royal Air Force and became RAF Port Ellen
Islay Airport is located 4.5-8.3 miles from Port Ellen, north-northwest of the town
Islay Airport (IATA: ILY, ICAO: EGPI) is located 4.5 nautical miles (8.3 kilometres or 5.2 statute miles) north-northwest of Port Ellen on the island of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland. It is also known as Glenegedale Airport, and its ICAO code is derived from this name. The airport is situated in the centre of the island, near Machrie Bay, and is approximately 4.9 miles from Port Ellen and 5.5 miles from Bowmore. It is a small, rural airport with a single terminal, owned and maintained by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), a public corporation wholly owned by the Scottish Ministers.
Islay Airport is accessible via the A846 "low road", which runs parallel to the coast and is almost seven miles long. The airport is served by Flybe, which operates flights to and from Glasgow Airport, and Hebridean Airways, which provides services to and from Oban and Colonsay. Additionally, the airport accommodates charter aircraft, private aircraft from the UK and beyond, and air ambulances.
The history of Islay Airport dates back to 1928 when a passenger aircraft from Renfrew, now Glasgow Airport, landed experimentally on the beach at the head of Loch Indaal. The first scheduled passenger flight took place in May 1933, operated by Midland Scottish Air Ferries using the same beach airstrip. In 1935, a new airfield opened at Glenegedale, the current site of Islay Airport, with flights operating from grass runways. During World War II, the airfield was taken over by the Royal Air Force and became known as RAF Port Ellen. A concrete runway was constructed in 1942, and over 1,500 Royal Air Force personnel were stationed there during the war.
Today, Islay Airport features a passenger terminal that opened in 2004, offering standard services such as check-in, car hire, and waiting areas. The terminal building showcases local art and skilfully crafted wall hangings that reflect the heritage and distilling tradition of the island. The airport provides free car parking, including disabled bays, and a pick-up and drop-off area adjacent to the terminal.
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The airport is small and rural, with one terminal, and is run by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited
Islay Airport (IATA: ILY, ICAO: EGPI) is a small, rural airport with a single terminal. It is located in the centre of the island, near Machrie Bay, 4.9 miles from Port Ellen and 5.5 miles from Bowmore. The airport is run by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), a public corporation wholly owned by the Scottish Ministers. HIAL operates a total of 11 airports across Scotland, including Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Dundee, Inverness, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree, and Wick John O'Groats.
Islay Airport first opened in May 1933, with services provided by Midland and Scottish Air Ferries. However, this was short-lived, as the company closed down in 1934. Northern & Scottish Airways then took over, operating a De Havilland Dragon aircraft three times per week from Glasgow. In 1937, the company amalgamated with Highland Airways to form Scottish Airways, offering daily flights from Glasgow to Islay, Monday through Saturday. During World War II, the airport, then known as RAF Port Ellen, was used by the Royal Air Force, with over 1,500 personnel stationed there.
Today, Islay Airport provides scheduled services to the Scottish mainland and is also used by air ambulances. The airport is accessible via the A846 "low road," which runs parallel to the coast. The terminal building features unique wall hangings made from hand-cut pieces of linoleum, adding a touch of local character. The airport provides essential facilities such as check-in, car hire, waiting areas, and a café. The car park includes free parking, disabled bays, and a pick-up and drop-off area adjacent to the terminal.
The airport's navigational aids were modernised and upgraded in 2003, ensuring safe travel for passengers. Islay Airport is also utilised by charter aircraft, private aircraft from the UK and beyond, and Air Ambulance helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. While it is a small airport, it offers a range of services and facilities to cater to the needs of its passengers.
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It was opened in 1933 and was initially serviced by Midland and Scottish Air Ferries
Islay Airport, also known as Glenegedale Airport, is located 4.5 nautical miles (or 8.3 kilometres) north-northwest of Port Ellen on the island of Islay in Argyll and Bute, off the west coast of Scotland. The airport is situated near Machrie Bay, 4.9 miles from Port Ellen and 5.5 miles from Bowmore. It is a small, rural airport with a single terminal, owned and maintained by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), a public corporation wholly owned by the Scottish Ministers.
The airport was opened in May 1933, and initially, services were provided by Midland and Scottish Air Ferries, which operated flights from Glasgow via Campbeltown. This was short-lived, as the company ceased operations in late 1934. The first scheduled passenger flight to Islay took place on 16 May 1933, marking the arrival of commercial aviation on the island. The beach at Loch Indaal served as an airstrip for these early flights, and it was also used for the island's first air ambulance evacuation just two days before the inaugural passenger flight.
Midland and Scottish Air Ferries provided a crucial link between Islay and the Scottish mainland, but their services were brief due to the company's demise. Following their closure, another airline stepped in to continue serving the route. Northern & Scottish Airways took over the operations and utilised a De Havilland Dragon aircraft to offer flights three times weekly from Glasgow. This development ensured the continuity of air travel to and from Islay, maintaining the island's connection to the mainland.
The Islay Airport we know today was constructed as RAF Port Ellen during World War II in 1940, and a concrete runway was added in 1942. The airport has since been utilised for scheduled services to the Scottish mainland and air ambulances. Over the years, various airlines have operated at Islay Airport, and it continues to serve as a gateway to the island, providing essential transport links for residents and visitors alike.
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Islay Airport is used for scheduled flights to the Scottish mainland and air ambulances
Islay Airport, also known as Glenegedale Airport, is located 4.5 nautical miles (8.3 kilometres) north-northwest of Port Ellen on the island of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland. It is a small, rural airport with a single terminal, owned and maintained by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL). The airport was opened in May 1933 and initially provided services from Glasgow via Campbeltown by the Midland and Scottish Air Ferries company.
Today, Islay Airport continues to offer scheduled services to the Scottish mainland, including daily flights to and from Glasgow, Colonsay, and Oban. These services are currently operated by Flybe and Hebridean Airways. The airport also accommodates charter and private aircraft from the UK and beyond.
In addition to its role in facilitating travel to and from the island, Islay Airport serves as a vital base for air ambulances. The airport has a history of supporting medical emergencies, with the island's first-ever air ambulance evacuation taking place in 1933, just two days before the first scheduled passenger flight. Unfortunately, in 1957, a de Havilland Heron 1B aircraft operating for the Scottish Air Ambulance Service crashed during its approach to Islay in bad weather, resulting in the tragic loss of all three crew members.
Islay Airport has also witnessed its share of notable incidents. On June 29, 1994, Prince Charles, who was at the controls of a British Aerospace BAe146 aircraft, overshot the runway during landing, leading to a collapsed nosewheel. This incident garnered significant attention, highlighting the challenges of operating within the airport's infrastructure.
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During World War Two, the airport was taken over by the Royal Air Force and became RAF Port Ellen
Islay Airport, also known as Glenegedale Airport, is located 4.5 nautical miles (8.3 kilometres) north-northwest of Port Ellen on the island of Islay in Argyll and Bute, off the west coast of Scotland. During World War Two, the airport was taken over by the Royal Air Force and became RAF Port Ellen.
In 1940, Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister, ordered the construction of military airfields in the western islands of Scotland. The goal was to defend against German attacks on the Scottish mainland and provide a base for reconnaissance missions over the Atlantic Ocean. Islay Airport, constructed as RAF Port Ellen in 1940, played a crucial role in these efforts.
One of the first actions of the RAF was to construct concrete runways. Three runways were built, each aligned in different directions to ensure that at least one runway was usable regardless of wind direction. This strategic decision allowed for greater operational flexibility and improved flight safety conditions. The concrete runways could accommodate larger aircraft and contributed to the overall effectiveness of the airfield.
During the war, RAF Port Ellen was initially utilised by Avro Anson aircraft of 48 Squadron. These aircraft patrolled the seas around the UK, primarily searching for German U-boats. Later in the conflict, the base transitioned to hosting Beaufighter and Beaufort aircraft of 304 Ferry Training Unit. Over 1,500 Royal Air Force personnel were stationed at RAF Port Ellen during this period, reflecting the scale of its importance to the war effort.
Islay's geographical location made it a critical asset in the defence of the Atlantic convoys. The island's proximity to the choke point of the Atlantic convoys placed it in a strategic position. In addition to RAF Port Ellen, the flying boat base on Loch Indaal at Bowmore further enhanced the island's contribution to long-range aircraft patrols over the Atlantic. The combined efforts of these bases provided vital protection to convoys and played a crucial role in the outcome of the Battle of the Atlantic.
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Frequently asked questions
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, also known as Glenegedale Airport, was opened in May 1933. During World War Two, Glenegedale Airfield was taken over by the Royal Air Force and became RAF Port Ellen. The airport received a concrete runway in 1942.
Islay Airport is owned and maintained by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), a public corporation wholly owned by the Scottish Ministers.
