The January 2005 passenger figures from Highlands and Islands Airports Limited show that more than 66,000 passengers used the company’s 10 airports in the month, a 7.6% increase on January 2004.

Total passengers for the 10 months of the 2004/05 operating year stand at 868,339, a 10.1% increase on the same period in 2003/04.

Inverness continues to be the fastest developing airport in the region with passenger growth of 19.4% in the current year. The airports at Barra, Campbeltown, Kirkwall, Stornoway and Tiree have also increased their passenger numbers in the year compared to 2003/04.

The 10 airports handled 5,856 aircraft movements in January, an increase of 2.3% compared to January 2004, bringing the running total for the 10 months to 69,548.

Bob Macleod, HIAL’s managing director said: “Our airports are on target to handle a total of more than one million passengers in the year ending 31 March 2005. This will be a significant milestone in the growth of scheduled air services that has been achieved in recent years and reflects the vital role our airports play in the region’s transport network.

“The start of Eastern Airways’ Wick-Aberdeen-Inverness service at the end of this month and easyJet’s Inverness-Belfast service in July will ensure further growth in the months ahead,” added Mr Macleod.