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Flying Index Highlands and Islands Airports Limited  

Flying
Passenger Numbers In Highland - April 2005

29 May 05
North Airports Predict Growth in Coming Months
Almost 82,500 passengers travelled via the 10 airports operated by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited in April 2005, representing a 1% drop on April 2004’s total.

The airports at Barra, Benbecula, Stornoway, Tiree and Wick all recorded passenger growth in the month.

The 10 airports handled 7,484 aircraft movements, nearly 18% more than in April last year.

Inglis Lyon, HIAL’s managing director said: “The first month of the 2005/06 operating year shows a small drop in total passengers of around 700 compared to April 2004. The growth we predict for this year will start in June when Eastern Airways increase frequency and capacity on their Wick and Inverness routes followed by the introduction of easyJet’s daily services to Belfast and Bristol in July.

“By the end of next March we expect to have recorded significant passenger growth for the group, especially at Inverness which is our largest and fastest growing airport. We are talking to a range of existing and potential airline customers with the aim of attracting new services for the region.

“The growth in air services in recent years has brought major benefits to the people living in the Highlands and Islands and the economy and we remain focused on building on these successes to ensure that air travel plays a central role in the region’s sustainable development agenda,” said Mr Lyon.

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited – Total Passenger Movements April 2005

Airports Monthly Total 2005/06 Monthly Total 2004/05 Monthly Total % Difference Running Total 2005/06 Running Total 2004/05 Running Total % Difference Annual Total 2004/05
Barra 692 611 +13.3 692 611 +13.3 9,133
Benbecula 2,636 2,199 +19.9 2,636 2,199 +19.9 31,386
Campbeltown 728 807 -9.8 728 807 -9.8 9,330
Inverness 45,730 45,901 -0.4 45,730 45,901 -0.4 564,776
Islay 1,791 1,880 -4.7 1,791 1,880 -4.7 22,145
Kirkwall 9,026 9,381 -3.8 9,026 9,381 -3.8 114,594
Stornoway 9,537 9,444 +1 9,537 9,444 +1 114,594
Sumburgh 9,390 10,128 -7.3 9,390 10,128 -7.3 116,090
Tiree 474 374 +26.7 474 374 +26.7 6,014
Wick 2,429 2,426 +0.1 2,429 2,426 +0.1 27,954
Total Passengers 82,433 83,151 -0.9 82,433 83,151 -0.9 1,015,657

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