FLIGHT operator Lufthansa enjoyed a bumper 12 months in Scotland last year with an increase in passenger numbers of almost 25%.

The German airline said it carried nearly 339,000 passengers to and from Scotland's airports in 2013, a record for the firm's operations north of the border.

The figures, up on the levels recorded the previous year, made Scotland the biggest growth area within the airline's UK and Ireland markets, bosses said.

Christian Schindler, the operator's general manager for the UK and Ireland, said: "Scotland was the shining star for Lufthansa during 2013. When you consider the current fluctuating economy, the figures are very encouraging. "

Lufthansa currently operates services from three Scottish airports - Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow.

The company this year intends to transfer its non-hub service between Glasgow and Dusseldorf to its subsidiary Germanwings.