The December passenger figures from Highlands and Islands Airports Limited show that 73,000 passengers used the company’s 10 airports in the month, a 7% increase on December 2003.

Total passengers at the end of the third quarter in the operating year 2004/05 stood at 802,013, a 10.4% increase on the first nine months of 2003/04.

Inverness continues to be the fastest developing airport in the region with passenger growth of 20% in the current operating year. The airports at Barra, Campbeltown, Kirkwall, Stornoway and Tiree have also increased their passenger numbers compared to 2003/04.

The 10 airports handled 5,974 aircraft movements in December, an increase of 0.4% compared to December 2003.

Bob Macleod, HIAL’s managing director said: “This year’s performance continues to reflect the strong growth trend we have established in recent years. Our focus on route development has been successful and new routes are already confirmed for 2005 with Eastern Airways’ triangular service linking Wick-Aberdeen-Inverness starting in February and easyJet’s Belfast-Inverness service starting in July.

“We are also confident that these will not be the only new routes for 2005 and that overall passenger numbers will continue to grow in the last quarter of 2004/05 and throughout 2005/06.”

For further information please contact Nathaniel Anderson, HIAL PR Manager, on 01667 464277 or 07795 666115.