PASSENGER numbers at Highlands and Islands regional airports have grown by 5.9% to 92,607, according to the latest data.

Sumburgh Airport saw a 30.4% rise to 22,768 in February thanks demand from the energy sector and more passengers flying from Aberdeen to Shetland. At Inverness there was a 3.7% increase to 39,296 as a result of routes such as Amsterdam, Belfast, Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester becoming more popular. Kirkwall, Stornoway, Islay and Campbeltown were all also up last month.

The steepest fall was at Dundee which saw a 24.9% reduction to 1505 with reduced capacity on the London City route.