HIAL said passenger numbers were heading into a sixth year of growth

In the year ending 31 March 2006, it said 1,152,895 passengers - 14% more than the previous year - used one of its 10 airports.

HIAL said the rise was partly due to the addition of new routes.

It received �58m in government subsidies, but HIAL said it has made savings and increased its income.

HIAL operates airports at Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick.

Discount scheme

Early figures for this year also show continuing passenger growth.

The fastest growing airports in the region from 1 April to 30 June 2006 were Inverness, up 25.6%, Islay, up 23.1%, Kirkwall, up 12.2%, and Sumburgh, up 13.7%.

The operator said factors helping the sixth consecutive year of passenger growth included new routes, enhancements to existing services and the introduction of the Scottish Executive's Air Discount Scheme.

This has made air travel more affordable for residents in the region's more remote communities.

Inglis Lyon, managing director of HIAL, said: "At Islay, for example, Loganair's introduction of additional rotations to Glasgow and the start of Sunday flights have had a really positive impact for the island.

"Local residents have better access to the mainland by air and more visitors are able to fly into Islay.

"While in Shetland there are now direct flights to both the Faroes and London with the new Atlantic Airways service."