A record number of travellers used the Highlands and Islands’ network of airports last year, according to new figures.
Data from Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL), which operates 10 terminals in the region, as well as Dundee Airport, shows an increase of 10.6% in total passenger numbers to 1,606,168 compared with 2015.
The publicly-owned operator said Inverness Airport demonstrated its popularity and “increasingly important” role to the area’s economy by recording a 17.4% year-on-year increase in passengers to 796,854.
During the year new services were launched between the Highland capital and Heathrow and Schiphol, Amsterdam, which HIAL said contributed to its success.
While the numbers grew at eight out of the 11 airports, a 23.9% drop in travellers at the Wick terminal, to 24,639, was blamed on reduced demand from energy sector services to-and-from Aberdeen.
The annual figures were also down at Campbeltown, by 1.1% to 8,917 and at Stornoway, by 0.8% to 130,160.
Shetland’s Sumburgh Airport, saw an additional 19,186 passengers, with regular scheduled flights supporting the oil and gas sector and an increase in offshore traffic using the terminal contributing to a total of 335,169.
At Barra Airport, which celebrated its 80th anniversary in summer 2016, passenger numbers increased by 19.1% to 12,861 for the year. Tiree also recorded a hike of 18.6% in additional passengers to 12,261.
HIAL described growth figures at Dundee Airport of 69.6% to 38,930 as “exemplary.” The operator said it would be making an announcement on the a service between the Tayside terminal and London shortly.
Last month Flybe announced it was suspending its flights between Dundee and Amsterdam, but said it aimed to restart the service one radar is enhanced.
Commenting on the figures, HIAL Managing Director Inglis Lyon said: “We are delighted to report that the overall passenger numbers continue to rise. This clearly illustrates the value of our services to the communities they serve and proves there is strong demand for ever greater connectivity to and from the Highlands and Islands.
“Our regional airports have a key role to play in strengthening Scotland’s economy and offering great choice for leisure and business passengers.”
“We will continue to invest in our airports, work in partnership with the airlines and destination airports, and further develop our customer service as we attract new business and look to cement our growth in the future.”
In the year to March 31, 2016, HIAL recorded increased operating losses of £3.38million, which it said reflected a year of sustained investment of more than £18million in its facilities.
