An analysis of passenger figures at HIAL airports shows that after the high figure of 1997/98 of just over one million passengers there was a reduction at Inverness of 70,000 passengers because of the loss of the London Heathrow, London Stansted and Amsterdam services. There was also a reduction at Sumburgh of 50,000 passengers due to a decline in the oil industry.

There was a further decline at Sumburgh of 170,000 oil passengers in the following two years. During this time traffic at other airports continued to rise and Inverness, Kirkwall and Stornoway have all seen significant growth (up to 18%) in the last two or three years.

As the Executive has continued to invest in HIAL so traffic has grown and will this year reach 970,000 despite the losses at Sumburgh. Inverness will reach just under half a million passengers by March 31^st this year, an annual growth rate in excess of 20% and even higher growth is forecast for next year.

The Executive’s investment is delivering growth as was intended and HIAL is delivering an accelerated programme of route development at its airports, reflected in the strong growth in passenger figures.

Bob Macleod, Managing Director of HIAL, said: "It is disappointing to see Mr MacAskill quoting statistics when the facts actually bear out that the Executive’s investment in HIAL is bringing about advances in commercial aviation in the region and enabling more people to enjoy the benefits of air travel."

ENDS