Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (Hial) has reported record passenger numbers for last year.

A total of 1.6m travellers used Hial airports in 2016, an increase of almost 155,000 compared to 2015.

The company runs 11 airports across Scotland, including Inverness, Dundee and Sumburgh.

Barra Airport, which is famous for its beach landing, had a 19% increase in passengers in its 80th year.

Hial managing director Inglis Lyon said: "We are delighted to report that the overall passenger numbers continue to rise.

"This clearly illustrates the value of our services to the communities they serve and proves there is strong demand for ever greater connectivity to and from the Highlands and Islands.

"Our regional airports have a key role to play in strengthening Scotland's economy and offering great choice for leisure and business passengers."

Passenger numbers fell at Wick John O'Groats and Stornoway airports, which Hial blamed on a drop in travel to and from Aberdeen as a result of the oil downturn.

The figures come after the announcement that the country's two largest airports, Edinburgh and Glasgow, announced record passenger numbers in 2016.