The significant contribution of air services to the economy of the Highlands and Islands was reflected in 18% passenger growth at the region’s airports in April.

 

Figures published today by Highlands and Islands Airports show that 97,559 passengers travelled via its 10 airports in the month compared to 82,433 in April 2005. Aircraft movements totalled 7,861 representing a 5% increase on the same period last year.

 

Inverness continued to be the region’s fastest growing airport, handling 29% more passengers in the month than in 2005, while Barra saw 10% growth, Islay 12% and Sumburgh 11%

 

In 2005/06 HIAL’s 10 airports handled 1,152,895 passengers, a 13.5% increase on the previous year and breaking the company’s former busiest year total of 1,100,609 set in 1995/96.

 

New routes from Inverness to Dublin and Leeds Bradford were launched in April while a Newcastle service will start in June and a Liverpool service in October. The first ever direct scheduled air service between Shetland and London will also start operating in June this year.

 

Inglis Lyon, managing director of HIAL said: “Good transport links are vital to economic development in our area and HIAL is playing a leading role in driving this agenda forwards in terms of air travel. Accordingly, we view our passenger numbers as evidence of positive economic and social change in the Highlands and Islands.

 

“The region has lower than average per capita income. However, better transport links promote inward investment and generate high value jobs which are crucial to the area’s future prosperity. Equally, it is the case that the easier it is to get here the more tourists we will attract.

 

“After decades of depopulation we are seeing people moving to live and work here again because air links to other parts of the country for business or leisure are much improved. This is a trend that must be maintained for the future wellbeing of this region. Air travel therefore provides one of the best solutions to the challenges posed by our relative remoteness and very low population density,” said Mr Lyon.