Passenger traffic at airports in the Highlands and Islands has increased by more than 4% in the past eight months, according to figures released today.
Highlands and Islands Airports saw 911,000 passengers use its 10 airports between April and November this year, an increase of 4.3% on the previous year.
Aircraft movements over the same period totalled 72,391, in line with last year’s performance.
In November, 97,302 passengers used HIAL’s airports which represented an increase of 4.3% on November 2006.
The airports showing the largest percentage increases in traffic this year are Kirkwall and Sumburgh with 9.4% and 14.4% respectively. The largest airport in the region, Inverness, has recorded growth of 2.6% in the past eight months and has accounted for 56% of HIAL’s total traffic.
Inglis Lyon, managing director, said: “By the end of March 2008 we expect to have had our busiest ever year, reflecting the essential role of air travel in our region and the impact of new routes, frequencies and the Scottish Government’s Air Discount Scheme.
“The foundations are already in place for further growth in 2008 with Flybe’s new services and new charter destinations at Inverness plus a longer season of flights between Shetland and London confirmed.
“These developments should both increase tourism in our region and make it easier for local people to access other parts of the UK and onward international connections for business and leisure,” said Mr Lyon.
|
HIAL Passengers November 2007 (Month 8 of 12)
|
|
Airports
|
Monthly Total
2007/08
|
Monthly Total 2006/07
|
Monthly Total % Change
|
Running
Total 2007/08
|
Running
Total 2006/07
|
Total
% Change
|
Year Totals
2006/07
|
|
Barra
|
515
|
583
|
-11.7
|
8,039
|
7,625
|
5.4
|
10,083
|
|
Benbecula
|
3,038
|
3,067
|
-0.9
|
25,719
|
24,873
|
3.4
|
36,731
|
|
Campbeltown
|
882
|
589
|
49.7
|
7,375
|
7,181
|
2.7
|
9,479
|
|
Inverness
|
51,160
|
50,047
|
2.2
|
514,959
|
501,795
|
2.6
|
698,885
|
|
Islay
|
2,276
|
2,388
|
-4.7
|
21,890
|
20,849
|
5.0
|
28,472
|
|
Kirkwall
|
11,688
|
11,237
|
4.0
|
104,996
|
95,978
|
9.4
|
137,769
|
|
Stornoway
|
11,196
|
10,354
|
8.1
|
89,636
|
86,978
|
3.1
|
126,058
|
|
Sumburgh
|
13,729
|
11,079
|
23.9
|
114,793
|
100,373
|
14.4
|
145,044
|
|
Tiree
|
502
|
499
|
0.6
|
5,755
|
5,319
|
8.2
|
7,570
|
|
Wick
|
2,316
|
3,435
|
-32.6
|
17,807
|
22,836
|
-22.0
|
32,691
|
|
Totals
|
97,302
|
93,278
|
4.3
|
910,969
|
873,807
|
4.3
|
1,232,782
|
Note: The transfer of Dundee Airport to HIAL was effective from 1 December 2007 and the airport’s statistics will be included from this date.
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