Passenger numbers soar at Inverness Airport
Passenger numbers at the Highlands’ regional airports continued to grow last month mainly boosted by the success of Inverness Airport’s flagship Amsterdam service and growth in the oil sector.
Figures released by HIAL (Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd), which operates a network of 11 airports mostly in the region, show that the number of air travellers rose by 4.1% to 98,109 in March year-on-year.
Inverness, now one of Scotland’s fastest growing airports, recorded an 11.5% increase in passenger numbers for the same period as a result of heightened demand for services to Amsterdam and London Gatwick.
The city’s Amsterdam service now operates daily to Schipol Airport, connecting passengers to hundreds of worldwide destinations.
Mr Inglis Lyon, managing director of HIAL, said: "The continuing growth in passenger numbers is good news for the regional economy and suggests that market conditions are gradually improving after a difficult period for the industry.
"We are particularly pleased with the strong growth at Inverness Airport which has been fuelled by the success of the city’s new Amsterdam service. With a daily direct link to one of the world’s key hub airports, Inverness and the Highlands are better connected than ever to Europe, the Gulf, Asia and beyond.
"With the return this summer of Lufthansa and Helvetic Airways, flying to Dusseldorf and Zurich, the choice for Highland passengers is set to improve further."
He added: "We are committed to growing passenger numbers across the group and we are investing heavily across our 11 airports to deliver an improved experience for our passengers and airlines."
Increased oil sector traffic boosted passenger numbers at Sumburgh (+6.2%) and at Wick (+19.7%). Tiree recorded the largest percentage increase of the month, up 34.7% against March 2011, during which the airport suffered a number of scheduled cancellations.
Numbers rose slightly at Stornoway (+0.4%) and at Islay (+3.6%).
Passenger numbers at Dundee fell by 17.1% due to reduced capacity on its London City route.
Numbers were also down at Kirkwall (-9%), due to the reduction in the winter schedule as well as weather related cancellations. Barra, Benbecula and Campbeltown also recorded a drop in passenger numbers.
In the 12 months to March, passenger numbers across the group rose by 8.7% to 1,258,452.