Slow in growth at Highlands and Islands airports

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.”