A RECORD number of passengers travelled through airports in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands last year, with the total up by more than 100,000 on 2016.

Operator Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) has revealed 1,722,913 journeys were made during 2017. That was up 102,577 on 2016’s total of 1,620,336, an increase of 6.3 per cent.

Highlights at individual airports included a 6.3 per cent increase at Inverness and an 18.9 per cent jump in passenger numbers at Barra Airport, where the beach runway was used by 14,264 people.

Sumburgh, which serves the Shetlands and the North Sea oil and gas industry, recorded a rise of 46,948 to 386,039, an increase of 13.9 per cent. The figures saw Sumburgh continue the growth it has enjoyed since HIAL refurbished the airport and enhanced facilities for offshore workers.

At Orkney’s Kirkwall Airport, passenger numbers jumped 9.2 per cent to 195,544 from 179,140 in 2016. Stornoway also recorded an increase with passenger totals up four per cent to 137,103. Tiree, Campbeltown, Benbecula and Islay all reported year-on-year growth.

HIAL managing director Inglis Lyon said the performance of the airports was encouraging and demonstrated the growing demand for regional airport services.

He said: “These figures indicate a positive economic outlook for the regions and illustrate the continuing need for strategic investment across the HIAL operating area. We are working with our colleagues at Transport Scotland to deliver a regional airports network that can grow passenger numbers and has long-term sustainability.

“We continue to see the benefits to passengers of increased connectivity that our airports deliver for the communities they serve.

“We are pleased with the increased numbers at Inverness, which has seen strong numbers on the international connecting flights to Amsterdam, Heathrow, Gatwick and Dublin. Sumburgh is performing well on the back of an improving oil and gas industry and our other island airports have also seen encouraging passenger increases.”

Lyon said an anticipated increase in international visitors to Scotland in 2018 means the strong growth figures may continue. He said: “The UK is very attractive as a destination for visitors, benefiting from favourable exchange rates. With the number of connecting flights growing, they are better able to arrive in the Highlands and Islands and can spend less time travelling and more time enjoying Scotland’s stunning natural beauty.

“HIAL will continue to invest in its airports and works continuously to improve and enhance the passenger experience for all those who use our facilities.”

Passenger numbers were down 16,029 at Dundee as a result of Flybe withdrawing its Amsterdam service in December 2016. Wick’s total fell by 7871, due in part to reduced demand from energy sector services to and from Aberdeen and offshore platforms.