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News / Sumburgh numbers sky high

Sumburgh Airport. Photo: HIAL

SUMBURGH Airport saw its passenger numbers fly up by nearly one fifth over the last financial year.

A total of 419,448 people used the airport in 2017/18 – a 17.9 per cent increase on 2016/17.

During the year Flybe went into competition Loganair on routes from Sumburgh to the Scottish mainland, increasing the number of flights on offer.

However, the airlines’ battle only lasted a few months before Flybe pulled out.

Oil and gas activity also helped to boost Sumburgh’s figures.

Across Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd’s (HIAL) portfolio of 11 airports there was an overall passenger increase of 7.4 per cent.

HIAL managing director Inglis Lyon said: “Overall, the past year has been another of significant growth in passenger figures across the HIAL group, this highlights the customer demand for our air services and the continued support and connectivity they provide for communities.”

HIAL recently announced controversial plans to introduce a £3 a day car parking charge at Sumburgh in a bid to recoup money spent during the airport’s recent £8m refurbishment.

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