Airport sparks dogfight with arch-rival to be named No1

The battle for new routes between the two BAA-owned airports, which used to work together, comes as research by The Scotsman reveals Edinburgh is soaring ahead of Glasgow in international routes.

This follows a turning of the tables in 2007, when Edinburgh soared past formerly pre-eminent Glasgow. It now carries a fifth more passengers – putting it nearly two million a year ahead.

Edinburgh now has 80 international routes outside the British Isles compared with 52 at Glasgow. All but one of these is in Europe or North Africa, compared with Glasgow's 39.

This means than even taking into account the 12 other European routes offered by Prestwick – which is nearly as far from Glasgow as Edinburgh airport – Edinburgh still eclipses both west coast airports put together.

Significantly, Glasgow has so far failed to capitalise on gaps left by routes being axed at Prestwick.

This has left just two Scandinavian routes from Glasgow compared with six from Edinburgh, some of which are served by several airlines.

However, Glasgow remains Scotland's main long-haul gateway, boasting more than a dozen transatlantic, Asian and the Middle Eastern routes compared with Edinburgh's one link to New York.

In a new Edinburgh flight guide about to be published, airport managing director Gordon Dewar states: "It's easy to see why Edinburgh is Scotland's airport of choice. Make it your choice to start your journey from here – we look forward to welcoming you."

This is accompanied by a map showing how to reach the airport from Glasgow. It is described as "conveniently situated eight miles to the west of the city (Edinburgh] and less than one hour's drive from Glasgow".

Mr Dewar said yesterday: "The concept of being 'Scotland's Airport of Choice' is aspirational. We're confident in our responsiveness to customers, our service levels and in the quality of Edinburgh itself, so we believe that it is an aspiration that can be a definite reality in the coming months."

The airport reckons its ace in the pack is Edinburgh's appeal as a tourist destination, giving airlines the opportunity to fill their planes with both outbound and inbound passengers.

Hugh Aitken, head of marketing and aviation, said: "The city's position as a European capital has changed over the last few years, and is now being compared with places like Munich and Nice."

Glasgow airport managing director Amanda McMillan said her airport sold itself as "Scotland's leading business and leisure gateway". She said Glasgow was seeking a second German route – against Edinburgh's eight – but admitted "a bit of realism" was required about the immediate chances of filling other European gaps because of the state of the economy.

She also conceded that M8 congestion put some Lanarkshire passengers off using the airport, but was confident the opening of the M74 extension into Glasgow next year would "redress the balance" for the airport's competitiveness.

She said: "We have not thrown in the towel and are working on both European connections and building on the strength of our long-haul and charter services."

However, aviation analysts said Glasgow could struggle to compete with Edinburgh ahead of an expected eventual sale of one of them, a move ordered by the Competition Commission.

John Strickland of JLS Consulting said: "The Ryanair move to expand from two to 39 routes at Edinburgh over the last two years has been a pivotal one. With Ryanair also having a significant presence at Prestwick, that rather leaves Glasgow out in the cold.

"Edinburgh also has the wealthier population, more willing to travel and to a range of different places."

Laurie Price, director of aviation strategy at consultants Mott MacDonald, said: "It's part of a continuing trend which has been drifting to Edinburgh for sometime on the back of the establishment of a Scottish Government and some airlines wishing to give greater focus to one airport."