The airport's owners Highlands and Islands Airports (HIA) have submitted a grant application to the Scottish Executive with the aim of having an expanded terminal facility fully operational in 2010.

The current building opened in May 1999 when annual passenger numbers were around 320,000. Forecasts for the airport over the life of the building were 750,000 – 1 million. Since then, the airport has achieved growth in excess of these forecasts while significant changes have occurred in both the regulatory environment and nature of traffic handled.

The current terminal building cannot accommodate such forecast growth without significant change. An alteration and extension of the building and surrounding area is therefore proposed.