A record number of passengers are using Scotland’s regional airports.
Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) found more than 900,000 passengers have passed through its airports’ doors over the last six months.
New flights from Inverness and Dundee to London and Amsterdam have been highlighted as a factor in the rise, as well as a busy period at Sumburgh Airport on Shetland.
In the six months from April, 908,116 people used HIAL airports, up by 111,750 on the same period of last year.
Passenger numbers at Inverness Airport alone rose 21% to 80,686, while traffic at Dundee doubled to 24,466.
Sumburgh Airport, which is a key terminal for the oil and gas industry, saw passenger numbers increase 11% to 189,526.
HIAL managing director Inglis Lyon said: “Inverness Airport is up 21% in the year to date, which we believe is one of the strongest performances of any European airport.
“The initial BA flight numbers are encouraging and are further evidence of the significance of Heathrow as a UK hub for Scotland.
“The ability to fly direct to two of the world’s greatest airports enables people in the Highlands to make international connecting flights quicker and more efficiently than ever before. These services offer tremendous opportunities for tourism and for business throughout the region.”
Growth was also found at Stornoway, Tiree and Barra airports over the summer, but a downturn in scheduled movements to Aberdeen resulted in a drop in passengers at Wick, while weather cancellations played a part in a reduction in passengers at Benbecula and Campbeltown.
Mr Lyon added: “What these figures illustrate above all is the vital role our airports play in the future sustainability and prosperity of the communities we serve.
“We continue to invest in our facilities and to make improvements that benefit our passengers and the aircraft companies that serve them.”
