Passenger numbers rise at Scottish regional airports

Passenger numbers have risen at Highlands and Islands Airports Limited's regional airports, according to figures for February.

Hial said the total of 92,607 was 5% up on the figures from February 2013.

An increase in passengers flying between Aberdeen and Sumburgh contributed to a 30.4% rise at the Shetland airport.

Hial said there had also been growth at Inverness, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Islay and Campbeltown.

However, there were falls in passengers at Barra, Tiree and Wick John O'Groats.

And the number using Dundee Airport was down by 24.9%, with Hial blaming a reduction in capacity on the London City route.

Loganair is due to launch a new twice daily service between Dundee and London Stansted, the UK's fourth busiest airport, later this month.

Inglis Lyon, Hial's managing director, said: "The unprecedented growth at Sumburgh is fantastic news for the local economy and underlines the important role the airport plays as a major energy hub for Scotland."

He added: "We are confident we can attract more energy-related business to our airports, particularly Wick John O'Groats and Sumburgh."