Norwich Airport's chief executive said the transport of offshore workers was a significant growth part of the airports business as it recorded record numbers of helicopter passenger numbers.

Norwich International Airport's chief executive said the transport of offshore workers was a significant growth part of the airports business as it recorded record numbers of helicopter passenger numbers.

During the last financial year the airport handled a total of 77,000 passengers, up from just over 29,000 in the 2002/2003 financial year.

Although operations have fluctuated 2011/12 is comfortably the busiest year for offshore helicopter traffic at the airport so far.

Operators Bristow, Bond and NHV are all based at the airport and between them fly about 40 departures each day to offshore platforms. Norwich Airport chief executive Andrew Bell said: 'There is no doubt that the transport of workers offshore is a significant and growing part of the Airport's business.

'We work hard to ensure we understand the needs of the helicopter operators and their clients in order to provide the services they require.

'Our scheduled airline network compliments these activities and connects the southern North Sea fields with both Aberdeen specifically and the rest of the world generally through KLM's network across Amsterdam.'

It illustrates the upturn in helicopter passengers since the 2010/ 2011 financial year when the airport recorded a �618,000 pre-tax loss and offshore helicopter passengers handled fell by 15.4pc to 57,779, down by 10,505 on the previous 2009/2010 financial year.