| N E W S F E E D S >>> |
Flying
Passenger Numbers In Highland - March 2007
|
19
March 07 Figures released today by Highlands and Islands Airports show that an additional 71,000 passengers have used its 10 airports since April 2006 compared to the same period in the 2005/06 operating year. Aircraft movements at the airports have increased by almost 9% in the 11 months to a total of 93,225. Increases to the frequency of flights, new routes and the introduction of the Scottish Executive’s Air Discount Scheme in May 2006 have all contributed to passenger growth across the region’s air network. Most recently, Ryanair launched flights between Inverness and Nottingham East Midlands at the end of February. Its Inverness-Liverpool service was launched last October. HIAL is now on target to record its busiest ever operating year at the end of this month, exceeding the record total of 1,153,000 passengers set in 2005/06. Inglis Lyon, managing director of HIAL said: “Air travel is a vital mode of transport for this region, both for internal journeys and to other parts of the UK and abroad. It supports business growth, inbound tourism and sustainable communities, particularly in island locations. “The positive impacts of the enhancements to the air network achieved in the past 11 months are reflected in the increasing demand from people who are choosing and who can afford to fly. “Our aim continues to be ensuring that aviation forms part of an integrated transport network for the region which supports economic development and social inclusion in the years ahead,” said Mr Lyon.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||