Air passenger numbers in the Highlands and Islands have reached an all time high, according to figures released today by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.

 

In the year ending 31 March 2006 HIAL’s 10 airports handled 1,152,895 passengers, a 13.5% increase on 2004/05 and breaking the company’s previous busiest year total of 1,100,609 passengers set in 1995/96.

 

The growth reflects the increasingly important economic and social role of air travel in the region as a result of route development, service enhancements and demand from people travelling to, from and within the area.

 

All 10 airports showed year on year passenger growth during 2005/06 while aircraft movements for the 12 months totalled 93,234, up 12.7% on the previous year. The region’s fastest growing airports in the year were Benbecula (+9.2%), Inverness (+17.9%), Sumburgh (+17.7%), Tiree (+14%) and Wick (+10.7%).

 

The year also saw Inverness, Stornoway and Barra airports record their busiest ever years.

 

March 2006 saw almost 94,000 passengers use HIAL’s airports, representing an 18.3% increase on March 2005, and a 5.9% increase in aircraft movements to a total for the month of 7,490.

 

The foundations are already in place for growth in the current 2006/07 operating year with Aer Arann’s Inverness-Dublin service having started on 10 April and Eastern Airways’ Inverness-Leeds Bradford route on 24 April. Atlantic Airways will launch a twice-weekly Faroes-Sumburgh-London Stansted service and Eastern Airways an Inverness-Newcastle route in June while Ryanair will start flights between Inverness and Liverpool in October.

 

Following discussions with HIAL, BA franchise partner Loganair will introduce a series of service enhancements across the region at the end of May as part of its summer schedule. The Scottish Executive’s Air Discount Scheme to deliver cheaper air fares for residents of remoter communities in the Highlands and Islands is also expected to increase passenger numbers.

 

Inglis Lyon, HIAL’s managing director said: “Increased passenger uptake has resulted in a record year for our airports while the introduction of new routes and more capacity in the network has continued to stimulate demand for air travel.

 

“Local residents and people wishing to travel to the region now have more choice than ever before in terms of air services and flights are now more affordable compared to five years ago. Increased competition in the market coupled with the impact of low cost carriers now means that you can fly to London and back for as little as £70.

 

“These factors are having a huge positive economic impact in the region. Inbound tourism continues to rise as a result of improved accessibility by air and businesses find it easier to reach new customers and markets both in the UK and overseas.

 

“The enhanced accessibility that we have been able to deliver in conjunction with our airline customers, the Scottish Executive’s Route Development Fund and stakeholders is making the Highlands and Islands a more attractive place in which to live and work and easier to visit for tourists and business people. This is the real success story of aviation in the region which could otherwise be disadvantaged by remoteness and the lack of alternative timely transport options

 

“Ryanair’s Inverness-Liverpool service which will start in October is expected to generate an additional £10 million per annum for our regional economy and support up to 100 full-time equivalent jobs while Atlantic Airways’ direct link between London and Shetland will provide a major boost for tourism this summer.

 

“These impacts are what keep our minds focussed on achieving successful developments across our airports in the years ahead,” said Mr Lyon.

 

HIAL Airports March 2006/Year End Passenger Figures
Airports	Monthly Total 2005/06	Monthly Total 2004/05	Monthly Total % Change	Year Total 2005/06	Year Total 2004/05	Year Total % Change
Barra	496	650	-23.7	9,453	9,133	+3.5
Benbecula	2,892	2,612	+10.7	34,259	31,386	+9.2
Campbeltown	842	761	+10.6	9,600	9,330	+2.9
Inverness	53,384	43,023	+24.1	665,677	564,776	+17.9
Islay	1,667	1,827	-8.8	22,528	22,145	+1.7
Kirkwall	9,665	9,222	+4.8	118,019	114,594	+3
Stornoway	9,753	9,527	+2.4	118,967	114,235	+4.1
Sumburgh	11,821	8,840	+33.7	136,597	116,090	+17.7
Tiree	516	566	-8.8	6,854	6,014	+14
Wick	2,859	2,328	+22.8	30,941	27,954	+10.7
Totals	93,895	79,356	+18.3	1,152,895	1,015,657	+13.5