Highlands and Islands Airports (Hial) notched up a record year as passenger numbers at its 11 sites soared by 5.4% to 1.27million during the 2013-14 financial year.
The growth in business was helped by a 32.2% jump at Sumburgh, the country’s fastest-growing airport.
Hial said Inverness Airport enjoyed its best performance for five years, attracting an extra 8,000 passengers – a 1.3% rise – during the year.
Growing demand for key domestic and international hubs, including Manchester, Birmingham and Gatwick and Amsterdam, drove passenger numbers in the Highland capital to more than 619,000.
But some of the group’s smaller airports suffered amid schedule changes and reduced capacity on key routes.
A reduction in inter-island services resulted in the drop in passenger numbers at Barra, Benbecula and Stornoway airports, while Campbeltown and Tiree also suffered a fall.
Managing director Inglis Lyon said: “Last year was our best ever in passenger terms, with the group exceeding the 1.3million mark for the first time.
“We owe much of this success to Hial’s capacity to attract new energy-related business, particularly at Wick John O’Groats and Sumburgh.
“We are confident that both airports can continue to attract new business.
“Kirkwall was another strong performer, attracting an extra 13,000 passengers through the year.
“Although growth at Inverness was more modest, 2013-14 was its busiest year in five years and we are hopeful that we can secure further growth from Flybe and easyJet at Inverness.”
Mr Lyon added: “The picture is less encouraging at some of our smaller airports. These airports nevertheless play a vital social and economic role in the communities they serve and we will continue to seek new opportunities to enhance connectivity to the islands.”
Sumburgh’s passenger numbers rocketed to 287,525 as a result of increased oil and gas traffic.
A major terminal development is planned at the Shetland terminal in the coming months as the airport seeks to expand its energy sector operations.
Wick John O’Groats recorded growth of 21.7% to 41,281 following an increase in energy-related fixed-wing and helicopter operations, and extra scheduled flights.
Passenger numbers at Kirkwall and Islay grew by 8.3% and 2% respectively.
At Dundee, services to London City were reduced – resulting in lower capacity and a 44.6% fall in traveller numbers. However, a new twice-daily weekday service to London Stansted was launched last month, giving passengers a wider choice of connections.
Hial said its airports were used by 104,983 passengers last month, up 1.3% on March 2013.