EDINBURGH airport marked the end to one of its most successful years in 2014 with record passenger numbers and the busiest year ever for any Scottish airport.
A total of 10,174,684 passengers passed through the airport in 2014 marking a 4% increase on the success of the previous year.
Colin Keir MSP for Edinburgh Western constituency which includes Edinburgh Airport welcomed the news. The airport passed the historic 10m mark on the 23rd December.
Mr Keir said: “Despite difficult trading conditions, Scotland’s busiest airport continues to grow. Perhaps the most impressive statistic is the 89% rise in direct long haul flights.
“Along with the environmental advantages of direct flying the passenger gets a better deal by cutting down on the obscene Air Passenger Duty (APD) which they would be required to pay if they use another UK airport such as Heathrow.
“I’m delighted that passengers are voting with their feet and using this one of the Capitals business assets. I am aware of the major financial investment made at the airport as well as the efforts of management and staff to produce a first class experience for travellers.
“When the airport works well it has a tremendous knock on effect to the local and national business community and with more direct flights business and tourist traveller’s benefit through lower costs and faster journeys.
“I welcome today’s great news and congratulate everyone who is making Edinburgh airport a global success story.”
Edinburgh Airport is Scotland’s busiest airport. More than 40 airlines serve 100-plus destinations and 9.78 million passengers passed through the airport in 2013 – the busiest year ever for a Scottish airport. It is the fifth largest in the UK, in terms of passenger numbers, and employs over 5000 people.
