Passenger numbers on the rise at Inverness Airport

Passenger numbers at Inverness Airport were up by 17.6 per cent in the first quarter of the 2023/24, compared to the same period last year.

Dalcross saw 240,631 passengers during the three months from April-June 2023.

It contributed to an overall upward trend for operator Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), which has 11 regional airports and reported a 10.4 per cent year-on-year increase in passenger numbers equating to 425,222 people.

The stats have been released while passengers have faced disruption to flights.

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Among other HIAL airports with positive figures was Wick John O’ Groats where passenger numbers increased by 29.5 per cent to 2774.

George Farquhar, director of airport operations for HIAL said: “Leading into what is a hugely important 2023 tourist season, the new figures are encouraging and highlight the key role our people and airports continue to play to the Highland economy in providing vital connections to and from our iconic Highlands and Islands destinations.

“With almost 1.5 million people having passed through our 11 airports across the Highlands and Islands over the past 12 months, the economies in each of those areas will have benefited significantly from the added investment and spending they bring with them.”

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