Airport soars over its rivals

EDINBURGH Airport bucked the trend by being the only one of Scotland's three main airports to record a rise in passenger numbers last month.

The airport saw a 3.5 per cent rise in passenger figures in October, compared with the same month last year.

In contrast, Glasgow Airport saw a 7.4 per cent fall, while Aberdeen declined 5 per cent.

Colin Matthews, chief executive of airport operator BAA, said: "Passenger growth is good for the economy with thousands of people across the country employed in aviation, international trade and tourism.

"However, government spending cuts, a sharp increase in air passenger duty and an imminent VAT rise are weakening the prospects for inbound tourism and British leisure travel."