More than 558,000 passengers travelled through the 10 airports operated by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited in the past six months. This represents an 11% increase on the same period in 2003/04 with the operator on target to handle around one million passengers by the end of March 2005.

The six-month total for 2004/05 now stands at 558,024, compared to 502,146 passengers in the same period in 2003/04. The largest year on year growth for the six months was recorded at Inverness with a rise in passengers of 21.2% to a total of 313,617. The six-month totals for Barra, Campbeltown, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Tiree and Wick are also up on last year’s figures.

The total number of passengers flying through the 10 airports in September 2004 showed an 11% increase on the same month last year, reaching a total of 93,011.

Passenger numbers at Barra, Campbeltown, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway and Wick airports all increased during the month compared to August 2003. Decreases in passenger numbers compared to September 2003 were recorded at Benbecula, Campbeltown, Sumburgh and Tiree airports.

The 10 airports handled a total of 7,043 aircraft movements in the month, a drop of less than 1% compared to September 2003 but Campbeltown, Islay, Stornoway and Sumburgh airports all saw increases in aircraft traffic.

Bob Macleod, HIAL’s managing director added: “Our latest passenger figures are excellent news and demonstrate sustained year on year growth across our 10 airports. At the half year point we are on target to handle circa one million passengers by the end of March 2005 and are confident that this growth will continue in the next year.

“The growth in air travel in the region means that we are able to put stronger business cases to airlines regarding new routes and we are hopeful that summer 2005 will see new air services coming on stream.”

For further information see the www.hial.co.uk website.