Presented the draft Inverness Airport Master Plan for consultation, Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) said the proposals for 2020-2045 aim to provide a realistic and adaptable plan to respond to actual growth of the airport whilst providing appropriate facilities for passengers, staff and businesses.

Under one of four options for expanding the terminal to meet forecast growth in customer numbers, the terminal will be replaced with a new multi-million-pound building on a different site at an estimated price tag of up to £54.8 million. The move from one side of the main runway to the other would place the airport’s passenger facilities within walking distance of its planned railway station.

Other options detailed in the document focus on ways of expanding the current building, which was opened in 1999 and is a mile from where Network Rail is planning to open the railway station next year.

Inverness Airport general manager Graeme Bell said the draft Master Plan was developed using local feedback.

Mr Bell added: “Recent years have seen significant growth across our airport and whilst Covid-19 has certainly had a severe impact on the aviation industry, we expect it will recover in the short to medium term.

“We have conducted a traffic forecast exercise that indicates the airport will continue to thrive post-Covid, predominantly through further expansion of the UK market and a modest growth of international passengers. The draft plans show four options of facilitating our anticipated development, made up of three extensions to the existing terminal building and one option for a completely new terminal building constructed on the south side of the airfield.

“The concepts presented within the plan have been designed to provide intuitive passenger flows that will enable fast-track movement of business and frequent travellers, and walk-through retail space to enhance the commercial experience.”

This consultation will run until February 28.