Contribution and dedication of Papay airfield stalwart celebrated

Orkney Islands Council has marked a momentous occasion as Papay community stalwart, Neil Rendall, hangs up his airfield attendant high-vis for the last time after 50 years safely guiding flights in and out of Papay.

Neil's role as airfield attendant has seen him carry out day to day running of the Papay airport, fire and rescue duties and flight handling - including Loganair's Westray to Papa Westray route, famously the shortest scheduled passenger flight in the world.

Neil began his duties at the airfield in 1973 - and has for fifty years fitted the airfields work around running a large farm on Papa Westray as well as chairing the local community council.

Orkney Islands Council is responsible for maintenance of six island airfields in Eday, North Ronaldsay, Papa Westray Sanday, Stronsay, and Westray.

Key to this are the highly trained airfield staff who  carry out a varied and vital role that includes the day to day running of the airport, office duties, fire and rescue duties, general maintenance such as grass cutting, flight handling and dealing with the public.

Fire appliances are based at the airfields which staff will have to be familiar with as well.

Airfield attendants are part-time, with most fitting their role in and around other jobs - meaning their motivation is not financial but comes more from a sense of community.

Jon Round, Head of Airspace, Aerodromes and Air Traffic Management at the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: “Airfield Firefighters like Neil keep aerodromes operating safely and efficiently, and Neil's dedication to his local airfield in Papa Westray is remarkable. There is no doubt that he has helped keep his local community stay connected for all this time, and ensured the safety of all passengers travelling through the airfield. We wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Maurice Boyle, Loganair’s Chief Operations Officer, was in Orkney today to present a retirement gift – return tickets from Papay to anywhere in the Loganair network - to Neil. He said: “I am delighted to be here today to meet Neil and on behalf of everyone at Loganair thank him for his unstinting service to Loganair and the community for the past 50 years. It’s an incredible achievement.”

Orkney Islands Council's Deputy Leader, Heather Woodbridge, is a Councillor for Orkney's North Isles.  She said: "Neil has been a familiar and welcome sight to those landing in Papay over five decades. What an incredible contribution he has made to community life in that time – and that contribution and dedication are rightly being celebrated.

The lifeline flights in and out of our North Isles are core to their sustainability - and without people like Neil they simply could not operate.  I wish Neil all the best on his retirement - and hope he'll still give us all a wave from the farm as we're coming into land."

Neil was recently presented with gifts on his retirement on behalf of Orkney Islands Council and Loganair at a ceremony at Kirkwall Airport.