PASSENGER numbers increased at Scotland’s regional airports last year despite the tough economic conditions, according to new figures.
Highlands & Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), which runs 11 sites across Scotland, handled 1,283,362 passengers, up more than 3 per cent on 2011.
However, while the overall figure was higher, there were some significant differences in the performance of individual airports.
Sumburgh was the fastest-growing airport, with a 13.2 per cent rise in passenger numbers in the 12-month period.
It was followed by Barra, Campbeltown, Tiree and Wick John O’Groats, which all recorded growth of more than 5 per cent.
Inverness, the group’s busiest airport, ended the year with 614,302 passengers, a rise of 3.4 per cent on 2011. The largest drop was recorded at Dundee, with just over 11 per cent fewer passengers last year.
