Passenger numbers grow at Highland and Islands airports despite weather

Airports: Passenger numbers overall are up at Scotland's regional airports.

Passenger numbers at regional airports in Scotland have grown overall but Dundee Airport has recorded a further slump in its passenger numbers.

The number of people who took flights last month is down nearly 11% compared to last June.

It is a trend which has been reflected in the monthly figures since the turn of the year.

Operators Highlands and Islands Airports (HIAL) say it is due to changes to the London City route and a drop in leisure flying during the wet weather.

Figures from HIAL show that 121,171 passengers used its 11 airports last month, a rise of 0.7% compared to June 2011. The lower than average increase was a result of weather related disruption across the HIAL network caused by heavy fog.

Passenger numbers at Inverness rose by 4.1%, boosted by increased international traffic.

At Sumburgh, an increase in oil sector movements was offset by cancellations due to fog and a reduction in traffic to Kirkwall and Inverness. Overall, passenger numbers rose by 2.9%.

Cancellations due to fog also impacted Kirkwall, where traffic grew by 0.1%, and at Wick, where passenger numbers fell by 31.8%.

There was better news for Barra, where passenger numbers grew by 11.9% and at Tiree, where leisure charters generated a 16.5% increase in passenger numbers.

Passenger numbers were also down at Stornoway (-4.2%), Benbecula (-1.2%), Campbeltown (-16.1%) and Islay (-1.5%).

Inglis Lyon, managing director of HIAL, said: "The adverse weather across the network was undoubtedly a factor in last month’s more modest growth figures, but the underlying trend suggests that passenger numbers are rising at a group level.

"This growth illustrates the importance of air links to the communities we serve, particularly our remote island communities, but also the business and tourism sector, which relies so heavily on a strong network of air links. Our priority is to maintain and support our existing links, while exploring new opportunities to enhance our UK and international network."

HIAL operates a network of 11 airports across Scotland which include Barra, Benbecula, Campeltown, Dundee, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick.

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