The month of July saw strong passenger growth continue at airports operated by HIAL. 

The running total for the current year starting on 1 April 2003 now stands at 329,915, up by more than 28,000 on 2002-2003.

The largest year on year passenger growth for July was at Inverness with 16.7% and Stornoway with 21.2%. Passenger numbers at Campbeltown also increased by 14.4% while the airports at Benbecula, Islay Kirkwall and Tiree have also seen passenger traffic growth.

Oil industry traffic at Sumburgh Airport in Shetland grew by 48.8% in July this year compared to July 2002 with 2,410 passengers compared to 1,620 last year.

Total aircraft movements, including scheduled, charter, executive, general aviation and military flights have also grown, up 7% in July across the 10 airports to a running total of 28,532 for the current year.

Bob Macleod, managing director of HIAL, said the latest figures reflected the increasing economic and social importance of air travel in the region.

"Our market and customer focused commercial strategy is paying dividends and has given the travelling public more options in terms of destinations and services, including scheduled flights and outbound holiday charters," said Mr Macleod.

"The latest figures reveal growth in excess of industry forecasts and are extremely good news for the region and its businesses with the tourism and leisure sectors undoubtedly deriving benefits from many of the inbound journeys made during July.

"These statistics also strengthen our work to bring more new routes and services on line at our hub airports and send a message to new and potential customer airlines that there is a high propensity to travel by air in the region.

"It is also encouraging to see that oil-related traffic at Sumburgh is beginning to show signs of recovery after a very slow period for the offshore industry. Attracting more of this traffic to Sumburgh is a key target for us and the airport’s strategic location and excellent facilities mean that it is well placed to cater for more oil industry traffic, especially en route from Aberdeen to offshore installations."

ENDS