LISTEN: Inverness Airport Busiest Since 2008
628,526 passengers travelled from the Highland Capital in 2014 - up 1.7% on the previous year.
Scotland's regional airports handled a record number of passengers last year, according to new figures.
Operator HIAL said it was the busiest year for the 11 airports which saw 1.4 million people passing through - almost 52,000 more than in 2013.
Inverness was the busiest while Sumburgh Airport in Shetland was the fastest growing, with an 18.2% rise in passenger numbers to 319,597.
Dundee recorded a 19.5% fall in passenger numbers, and a slight drop was noted at Campbeltown.
The operator said a fall in numbers of almost 30% at Wick John O'Groats saw a return to more typical levels for the airport following a surge the previous year due to increased, but short-term, offshore helicopter activity.
The rest of the airports saw an increase in the amount of passengers including Barra, Tiree, Benbecula, Islay, Stornoway and Kirkwall.
Growth was strong during the last quarter of the year for Inverness Airport which gained 19,000 passengers as it enjoyed its busiest year since 2008 with 628,526 passengers over the 12 months.
Hial said the growth was largely as a result of demand on the Manchester and Amsterdam services and the launch of a new route to Dublin.
MFR Reporter Derek Ferguson speaks with HIAL managing director Inglis Lyon about the figures...
Inglis Lyon, managing director, said: We are delighted with performance of the group as a whole, particularly at Sumburgh and Barra, which have been our fastest growing airports.
The success of these two airports underline the importance of aviation for business and tourism in our island communities.''
He added: On the face of it, 2014 looks like a slow year for Wick John O'Groats. In actual fact, the airport recorded one of its best ever years.
Compared to 2013, when the airport enjoyed unprecedented growth, last year was generally in line with our forecasts and ahead of 2012.
However, it is a reminder that we cannot be overly reliant on the energy sector for new business and this is a lesson that also applies to Sumburgh.
The fall in oil prices and moves by the oil firms to curtail future investment will inevitably impact on passenger numbers at Sumburgh.
Our focus for the future is to ensure that Sumburgh remains the airport of choice for the energy sector while seeking out new business opportunities.
"That is why the recent decision by the Scottish Government to redevelop the airport is such good news for Sumburgh Airport and the local community.''