Operating losses at publicly-owned airport operator Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) multiplied to £3.38 million in the last financial year.
The figure, revealed in annual accounts released yesterday by Companies House, compare with losses of £442,000 in 2014/15.
Yesterday, the company, which operates 10 terminals in the Highlands and Islands and Dundee Airport, said the figures reflected a year of sustained investment in excess of £18 million in its facilities.
The losses, it added, were well within levels expected by its board, management and the Scottish Government.
In his introduction to the accounts HIAL managing director Inglis Lyon highlighted investment totalling £5.7 million at Sumburgh for runway and slipway repairs and terminal improvements. At Inverness £500,000 was spent on the first phase of a £900,000 plan to upgrade the departures lounge and build a new international arrivals hall.
A further £10 million was spent by HIAL on two new aircraft to serve the lifeline Glasgow to Campbletown, Barra and Tiree routes.
The company’s turnover rose to £20.5 million in the year to March 31 2016 from £19.3 million the previous year.
Earlier this month HIAL released figures showing passenger numbers across its airports had reached a new half-yearly high of 908,116 between April and September.
A HIAL spokesman said: “The figures reflect another year of sustained investment in excess of £18 million in our airports and facilities across the country and are well within the levels expected by our board, management team and the Scottish Government.
“The fact we have just reported record passenger numbers and business levels at our facilities including Inverness, Sumburgh and Dundee, is a testament to that investment and that HIAL airports are now better connected than ever before at local, UK and International levels.
“In common with other public sector organisations, HIAL operates within a tight budgetary framework, but we believe we are on the right track in terms of continuing to offer an improved service and experience for our customers while delivering exceptional value for money for the taxpayer.”