The importance of air travel to the economy and communities of the Highlands and Islands was underlined by a 13% increase in airport passengers in the region over the past four months.

The introduction of new air services, enhancements to existing services and the Scottish Executive’s Air Discount Scheme have all contributed to growth in the current operating year which started in April.

A total of 435,722 passengers travelled via HIAL’s 10 airports to the end of July while aircraft movements for the same four months increased by 11% to 37,018.

The fastest growing airports in the region this year are: Barra (+12.5%); Inverness (+17.9%); Islay (+26.3%); Kirkwall (+12.4%) and Tiree (+17.6%).

Inglis Lyon, managing director of HIAL said: “Businesses are benefiting from better connectivity to other parts of the UK and beyond while inbound tourism is being supported by easier access to the Highlands and Islands by air.

“Some 90% of eligible people in the region have now signed up to the Air Discount Scheme and more than 19,500 flights have been booked since May with the 40% discount applying to the core fare. Combined with increases to the frequency of flights between island and mainland airports, this is opening up air travel to more people than ever before.

“This is particularly important for residents of our more remote communities where air travel is an essential transport mode,” said Mr Lyon.