Record growth continues at Scotland’s busiest airports

Scotland’s busiest airports have continued their record growth, according to latest figures.

Last month, more than one million passengers passed through Edinburgh Airport - a 10 per cent increase on last year and the sixth consecutive month above the milestone figure.

Glasgow Airport, meanwhile, reported a 14 per cent year-on-year jump in passenger numbers for October and declared it has attracted an additional one million travellers in total over the year.

The airport said that it had handled 836,798 passengers in October, with international traffic up by 18.5 per cent on the same month of last year and domestic numbers showing a rise of 8.9 per cent.

It highlighted a busy month for budget carrier Wizz Air and for Icelandair. It also cited a “significant uplift” in passenger numbers on long-haul services to Toronto, Florida and Dubai, while noting continuing strong demand for London routes from leisure and business travellers.

Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “We have now enjoyed 11 consecutive months of double-digit growth and have added an additional one million passengers since October 2014, which is a huge milestone.”

Edinburgh Airport, meanwhile, reported a sixth consecutive month in which its passenger numbers have exceeded one million.

It handled 1,004,439 passengers in October, up by 9.7 per cent on the same month of last year.

Edinburgh Airport cited strong demand for services to and from London and mainland European destinations. The airport also flagged the “continuing popularity of our new relationship with Etihad”, which started flights between the Scottish capital and Abu Dhabi in June.

Flights to London and increased international destinations were highlighted as reasons for the growth at both Edinburgh and Glasgow airports.

Management at Edinburgh Airport said flights to New York and Dubai had been particularly popular, while the World Gymnastics Championships and Turner Prize exhibition brought people to Glasgow.

Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: “This record-breaking performance is a sure sign of the growing success of both Scotland and Edinburgh as a destination and also emphasises our position as a key driver for Scotland’s economic growth.

“With over one million passengers through our doors at Edinburgh Airport last month we reached similar levels as we did in July 2013 - the height of our summer peak season. It shows that we are continuing to grow, create jobs and make a positive contribution for Scotland’s economy.

“Edinburgh Airport is going from strength to strength - with more airlines and greater choice of routes to London, the rest of the UK, Europe and across the globe - and we are well on course to make 2015 our busiest year ever.”