October passenger numbers at Aberdeen International Airport (AIA) were down by nearly 10%, against a year ago.
Figures released by AIA bosses yesterday show 272,292 people travelled through the airport last month, 9.7% fewer than in October 2015.
International and domestic services were both down by 8%, with North Sea helicopter passenger numbers down by 20%.
The latest total represents a 21st consecutive month of year-on-year decline at the airport as a weak local economy continues to bite into demand for flights.
But October’s drop was not as steep as in previous months, which saw hefty double-digit falls – suggesting there may be a slowdown in the pace of decline..
An AIA spokesman last night said: “There is a direct correlation between our passenger traffic and the performance of the wider economy, and the oil price.
“This explains the drop in demand for international, domestic and helicopter traffic.
“In saying that, we are taking encouragement from the fact that the drop in numbers is not as stark as it has been.
“This is the first time this year we have had a single-digit percentage decline. This can in part be attributed to our efforts in securing further new routes and providing our passengers with greater choice.”
New takeoffs from AIA during 2016 have included flights to Reykjavik, Gran Canaria, Warsaw and Newquay.
Next year, Ryanair will start flying twice a week to Alicante, Malaga and Faro – three of the most requested routes in a leisure survey carried out by the airport earlier this year.
Low-cost carrier airBaltic will also operate three flights a week to the Latvian capital from May to September.
AIA managing director Carol Benzie said: “Our focus throughout 2016 has been on adding the routes and services our customers demand.
“I’m pleased to say that, despite having to contend with the continued downturn in the wider economy, we have enjoyed a great deal of success.
“We have secured eight new routes and services this year, four of which will take off in the new year.”
Mrs Benzie also urged the Scottish Government to implement its proposed 50% cut in air passenger duty “as a matter of urgency”, saying the tax was currently acting as a barrier to securing more new services.
Meanwhile, plans for the expansion of Scotland’s busiest airport have been unveiled.
Edinburgh Airport’s proposals centre around the growth of operations on the ground, including a bigger terminal, rather than routes or planned changes to flight paths above the capital.
And people jetting off in search of winter sun and a Celtic FC Champions League game helped boost passenger numbers at Glasgow Airport by 5.7% to 884,350 last month.
