Dundee Airport saw its passengers numbers plunge by more than 40% after the route between the city and Amsterdam was scrapped.
Figures released by operators Highlands and Islands Airports revealed 22,901 passengers used the airport in 2017, down from 38,930 – a drop of nearly 41%.
HIAL maintained the airport remains an “integral” part of its portfolio and say they believe the opening of the V&A in September will help attract more business – and potentially new routes – to Dundee.
The passenger numbers are only marginally lower than the 22,948 people who used the airport in 2015, before the Amsterdam route was introduced.
HIAL managing director Inglis Lyon, said: “Flybe’s decision to withdraw the Dundee/Amsterdam service for now was always going to have an effect on the 2017 passenger figures and our airport manager, Derrick Lang, and the HIAL team are working hard with our various partners in the City to bring new routes and services to the airport.
“The scheduled September opening of the V&A will have a really positive effect on Dundee and the wider Tayside area, and that in itself will significantly boost our efforts to promote the airport and the area to the business and tourism market.
“Dundee remains an integral part of our airport network. Passenger numbers will always fluctuate at regional airports and with the many positive developments going on in Dundee, we are confident we will be able to attract new business there over the coming months.”
HIAL operates 11 airports across Scotland and despite the slump in Dundee numbers, a record number of people flew from its airports last year.
Highlights included a 6.3% increase at Inverness and an 18.9% jump in passenger numbers at the world-renowned Barra Airport which had 14,264 passengers using its beach runway in 2017.
Sumburgh, which serves the Shetlands and the North Sea oil and gas industry, recorded a rise of 13.9% to 386,039 – up 46,948.
Orkney’s Kirkwall Airport saw passenger numbers increase by 9.2% to 195,544 and Stornoway also saw increased demand with passenger numbers up 4% to 137,103.
Tiree, Campbeltown, Benbecula and Islay all reported increases year-on-year.
Mr Lyon said: “These figures indicate a positive economic outlook for the regions. This illustrates the continuing need for strategic investment across the HIAL operating area. We are working with our colleagues in Transport Scotland to deliver a regional airports network that can grow passenger numbers and has long-term sustainability.
“We continue to see the benefits to passengers of increased connectivity that our airports deliver for the communities they serve.”
He added: “HIAL will continue to invest in our airports and we continuously work to improve and enhance the passenger experience for all those who use our facilities.”
