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Islay Airport (IATA: ILY, ICAO: EGPI) (also known as Glenegedale Airport) is located 4.5 nautical miles (8.3 km) north northwest of Port Ellen on the island of Islay in the Inner Hebrides, off the West Coast of Scotland. It is a small rural airport owned and maintained by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.
[edit] History
The first airports appeared in Islay in the 1930s. However these were just grass stripped airports. In 1940, during World War II, the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill ordered military airports to be constructed in the Western Islands of Scotland, both to defend against a German assault on the Scottish mainland, and also the provide reconnaissance planes a base to fly missions over the Atlantic Ocean. The present Islay airport was constructed in 1940, and received a concrete runway in 1942. During World War II, over 1,500 Royal Air Force personnel were stationed at Islay Airport.
On June 29, 1994, The Prince of Wales made headlines when he overshot the runway while landing a BAe 146 of No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron of the RAF on the runway of the airport. No one was injured, however the plane was badly damaged.
[edit] Present day
Today the airport is used for scheduled services to the Scottish mainland, and for air ambulances. Loganair fly a service from Glasgow International Airport, twice daily on weekdays, and once daily on Saturdays.
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