Regional Airports Record 3.1% Rise In Passenger Numbers
The number of passengers passing through Scotland's regional airports has increased as a strong run of growth for the operator continues.
The number of passengers passing through Scotland's regional airports has increased as a strong run of growth for the operator continues.
The 11 airports handled a total of 410,875 passengers from July to September - up 3.1% compared to the same period last year.
Islay was the fastest growing airport in the group, with an extra 1,009 passengers, while Inverness was the strongest-performing.
Operator Hial said Dundee recorded a 2.9% increase in passenger numbers during the quarter as a result of steady demand for its Stansted service and the impact of the Open Championship in St Andrews.
Elsewhere, numbers dropped slightly at Kirkwall and Stornoway, with declines also recorded at Campbeltown and Wick John O'Groats.
Inglis Lyon, managing director of Hial, said: These are strong figures for the quarter and show that demand on most services and at most airports is increasing.
Inverness is continuing to perform well thanks to new and expanding services, and we are working hard to provide even more choice for passengers. After a difficult start to the year, Sumburgh also enjoyed a strong third quarter.
The success of smaller island airports such as Islay, Benbecula and Tiree illustrates the important role that aviation plays in connecting remote and island communities.
The arrival this summer of two new aircraft serving Barra, Campbeltown and Tiree is further good news for those communities.''
The latest figures follow a period of growth for the airports after they handled a record number of passengers in 2014.
Hial said last year was the busiest 12 months for the airports, which saw 1.4 million people passing through.