Inverness Airport has its busiest year since 2008
Scottish regional airport operator HIAL has recorded its busiest ever year, attracting an extra 70,000 passengers over the past 12 months, according to latest figures.
HIAL’s 11 airports handled 1,367,342 passengers in the 2013/14 financial year, an increase of 5.4% on the previous year (an additional 69,666 passengers).
Much of the growth was linked to the energy sector, with Sumburgh and Wick John O’Groats the main beneficiaries.
At Sumburgh, Scotland’s fastest growing airport, passenger numbers grew by 32.2% as a result of increased oil and gas traffic.
A major terminal development is planned in the coming months to allow for future growth as the airport seeks to expand its energy sector operations.
The Highland capital also enjoyed a passenger bounce, with Inverness airport attracting an extra 8,000 passengers during the financial year (+1.3%).
Growing demand for key domestic and international hubs, including Manchester, Birmingham and Gatwick and Amsterdam, fuelled the increase. With passenger numbers in excess of 619,000, Inverness enjoyed its busiest year for five years.
Passenger numbers also grew at Kirkwall (up 8.3%) and at Islay (up 2%).
Mr Inglis Lyon, Managing Director of HIAL said, "Last year was our best ever in passenger terms, with the group exceeding the 1.3 million mark for the first time.
"We owe much of this success to HIAL’s capacity to attract new energy related business, particularly at Wick John O’Groats and Sumburgh. We are confident that both airports can continue to attract new business.
"Kirkwall was another strong performer, attracting an extra 13,000 passengers through the year. Although growth at Inverness was more modest, 2013/14 was its busiest year in five years and we are hopeful that we can secure further growth from Flybe and easyJet at Inverness."
Meanwhile, HIAL’s airports handled 104,983 passengers last month, up 1.3% on March 2013.
