The number of passengers using airports in the Highlands and Islands increased by 20% in January compared to the previous year, according to figures released today.

A total of 79,476 passengers used the 10 airports operated by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited in the month compared to 66,326 in January 2005.

The airports which showed the greatest gains in the month were: Inverness (+28%); Islay (+18%); Sumburgh (+17%) and Wick (+41%).

The 10-month running total for passengers at HIAL’s airports stands at 975,876, a 12.4% increase on the same period in 2004/05. All 10 airports handled more passengers over the past 10 months than in the same period in 2004/05. The fastest growing airports in the region based on performance to the end of the January 2006 are: Benbecula (+10%); Inverness (+16%); Sumburgh (+15%) and Tiree (+18%).

Aircraft movements in January totalled 6,858, a 17% increase on 2005’s figure, while the running total for the operating year stands at 79,010, 14% up on last year.

The start of a Dublin-Inverness air service in April with Aer Arann and the Scottish Executive’s Aid of Social Character scheme to cut air fares for people living in remote communities are expected to increase passenger numbers at HIAL’s airports in 2006/07.

Inglis Lyon, HIAL’s managing director said: “This is a good set of results and we are on target to handle more than one million passengers across the 10 airports by 31^st March for the second year running.

“With a new air link between Inverness and Dublin coming into service in April and the Scottish Executive’s scheme to reduce air fares for people in remote communities due to start later this year the foundations are already in place for further growth in 2006/07.”