Scottish Passenger Growth Beats Euro Average

According to newly-published passenger volume data, many Scottish regional airports handled more traffic than similarly-sized European airports in Q1 and Q2 2012.

Released by airport operating group HIAL (Highlands and Islands Airports Limited), the statistics show that five per cent more passengers travelled through one of its 11 airports between January and June 2012.

By contrast, the average European airport passenger growth for the same period averaged out at 1.8 per cent for sites handling a maximum of five million travellers per annum.

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited was established in 1986 and is publically-funded. Based at Inverness Airport, it looks after the operations there and at 10 other sites. These are Barra Airport, Benbecula Airport, Campbeltown Airport, Dundee Airport, Islay Airport, Kirkwall Airport, Stornoway Airport, Sumburgh Airport, Tiree Airport and Wick Airport.

Between them, these 11 airports provide flights to over 30 UK and European destinations, including airports in Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Scottish Airport Passenger Growth

At two of HIAL's sites - Sumburgh and Inverness - Scottish airport passenger growth was recorded at levels well beyond the five per cent average: 10.4 per cent and 9.6 per cent respectively.

Last month, though, overall passenger traffic dropped 1.3 per cent, compared to July 2011.

“Despite the impact of the recession, our airports have enjoyed a good start to the new financial year with passenger numbers up by 3.8% across the group - and by even more at Inverness and Sumburgh - which is considerably higher than the European average for airports with less than five million passengers”, Inglis Lyon – HIAL’s MD – explained in a statement.

He continued: “Last month's [July’s] results were less encouraging but we are hopeful that growth will continue. Much will depend on the strength of the economy, which is a key driver for business and leisure travel. Market conditions are tough but we are punching above our weight compared to other airports in Europe.”

Image copyright James Gray – Courtesy Wikimedia Commons