Most HIAL airports see growth in passengers

Growing demand for travel to and from the Scottish Highlands and islands has seen airport passenger numbers rise by more than 7 per cent.

Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) said 522,476 customers used the company’s 11 airports between July and September, an increase of 36,038 passengers compared to the same quarter in 2016.

The biggest increases were seen at airports at Tiree, up 20 per cent, Barra (19 per cent), Sumburgh (14.7 per cent) and Islay and Kirkwall (both 11 per cent).

Passenger numbers at Inverness airport reached 268,468 for the quarter, an increase of nearly 9 per cent, thanks to increased demand on the Heathrow, Amsterdam, Gatwick and Manchester routes.

However, passenger numbers tumbled by 9,813 at Dundee as a result of the withdrawal of the Flybe Amsterdam service by the airline in December 2016. Figures also decreased at Wick John O’groats by 1,114, due in part to reduced demand from energy sector services to and from Aberdeen.