Passenger numbers at Dundee Airport fell by 13% in the first six months of 2012, new figures have shown.
Highlands and Islands Airports Limited, which operates the Riverside site, said more than 28,000 people used commercial flights to and from the city in the six months to the end of June down from more than 32,000 over the same period last year.
July figures were also down, this time by 10%, to around 5,200 in the month.
The news came as many of HIAL’s other Scottish airports posted increases in passenger traffic.
Inverness performed particularly well with a 9% uplift following the introduction of new routes, including Amsterdam, but island destinations like Barra, Islay, Sumburgh on Shetland and Tiree also recorded significant increases.
July was slower across the group, thanks to the effect of the summer holidays on business travellers and the grim weather but HIAL said its 11 destinations outperformed larger airports across the UK, and recorded an overall increase over 3.8%.
The company puts Dundee’s consistent reductions in passenger numbers down to reduced capacity, as fewer flights now depart from and arrive at the Riverside runway each week than was the case this time last year.
The coming anniversary of the withdrawal of some CityJet flights to and from London City is expected to see that comparison improve.
Infrastructure secretary Alex Neil launched an economic study to consider options for the airport in the Scottish Parliament earlier this year.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said a contractor would be appointed to carry out the study later this year.
It is expected to report in the autumn.
”We are currently finalising the details for the future role of Dundee Airport study in consultation with relevant stakeholders,” she said.