THE go-anywhere Nissan Navara has been drafted into service to provide specialist services at airports across the Scottish Highlands, Northern Isles and Western Isles.
Highlands and Islands Airport Ltd has taken six of the durable and dependable pick-ups, adding them to 19 other Nissans on its 100-strong fleet that includes everything from city cars, boats and minibuses to a 32-tonne airside fire appliance.
One Navara has been kitted out as a specialist fire command vehicle – complete with blue light pack and ground to tower radio system – and is now in operation with highly trained firefighters at Inverness Airport.
Another two have been fitted with specialist bird scaring equipment, including high decibel external speakers, and are being used to minimise the dangers and disruption caused by huge colonies of native birds at Sumburgh and Stornoway airports.
The other three vehicles are being used as management company cars. All were supplied by Nissan dealer Dicksons of Inverness.
Paul Rodden, Chief Engineer and fleet manager at Highlands and Islands Airports, said: “We went through a procurement procedure three years ago and Nissan came out on top. They were the only manufacturer that could supply vehicles that met our brief.
“Since then we’ve not been disappointed – the vehicles we’ve had have been up to any job and Nissan and Dicksons have been great at helping us maintain the fleet, much of which is scattered across remote areas where there are no dealerships.”
He added: “This time around we needed vehicles that could cope with very demanding roles – there’s such an issue with seabird colonies at Stornoway, for example, that the bird control vehicles can cover 2,000 miles a month without ever leaving the airport.
“The Navara was our first choice.”
With a 2.5 dCi engine with 190PS power output and 450Nm of torque or a 3.0 V6 dCi with 231PS power output and 550Nm of torque, the Nissan Navara has the muscle for any job.
It also offers a payload of up to 1250kg and a towing capacity of 3000kg, ensuring it can earn its keep as part of any fleet.
But despite its ruggedness and durability, the Navara – priced from £22,415 RRP – offers a car-like drive and features an array of creature comforts such as Bluetooth telephone integration, dual zone climate control and an optional satnav.