Dundee Airport has enjoyed a stunning renaissance thanks to its game-changing link to Amsterdam.
New figures show that, during the last quarter, it experienced a 128.4% increase in user numbers compared to the previous year.
While the new Flybe service to Amsterdam Schiphol – introduced in May – has been hugely beneficial, growth on the Stansted route has also been significant.
It attracted 3,694 more customers to the airport during the second quarter of 2016 than in the same period in 2015.
The figures revealed by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) represent a watershed moment for the regional airport operator.
It is only twelve months since there was fevered speculation about the long-term future of the airport following catastrophic user figures.
Passenger numbers had plummeted over the previous 12 months to a level dwarfed by airports such as Benbecula, Wick and Islay.
Now, HIAL can look forward to a brighter future for the airport.
Overall, it reported that an additional 36,225 passengers used the 11 HIAL airports across Scotland during the second quarter of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015.
Managing Director Inglis Lyon said: “We have made a significant investment in new services during the early part of this year, so it is pleasing to see that demand for most services at the majority of our airports continues to be high.
“Inverness is reaping the rewards of the recently-restored link to London Heathrow and the new KLM Amsterdam link, while Dundee’s new flights to Amsterdam have resulted in a marked increase in passenger traffic.
“However, there remains much work to do to ensure these services maintain momentum through the off-peak.”
