Slow in growth at Highlands and Islands airports

By ALASTAIR DALTON
Published on 19/03/2013 17:20

GROWTH at Scotland’s 11 Highlands and Islands airports slowed to 2.2 per cent overall last month, operator Hial reported today.

Its terminals handled 87,476 passengers, nearly 1,900 more than a year ago, with annual growth increasing to 2.9 per cent.

Sumburgh and Wick John O’Groats airports grew the fastest - by up to 62 per cent - as they benefited from increased energy industry and refuelling activity.

However, cuts in flights at Dundee, Campbeltown, Inverness and Stornoway reduced numbers there, with Dundee’s halved to 2,003 - fewer than at Wick John O’Groats.

The figures follow Edinburgh - Scotland’s busiest airport - reporting a 7.8 per cent fall in passengers in January. Glasgow’s was down by 1.5 per cent and Aberdeen’s by 1.2 per cent.

Hial managing director Inglis Lyon said: “After a strong start in January, growth was more modest in February. Nevertheless the underlying picture is positive with numbers up by almost 3 per cent over the past year, and double digit growth at a number of our airports, including Sumburgh and Wick John O’Groats.”