BAA plans put second runway back on flight path

BAA's plans for Edinburgh Airport could see passenger figures hit 20 million

Figures contained in the airport's masterplan show that owners BAA expect the number of flights to increase by more than 20 per cent in the next decade, with passenger numbers set to more than double to 20 million by 2040.

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The expansion once again raises the possibility of a second runway at Turnhouse and also the expansion of the current runway to allow for more long-haul destinations.

The airport said its plans, which will see the number of flight movements increase from 37 to 53 an hour by 2040, were a "blueprint for development".

But environmentalists said the proposals were "utterly selfish" and contrary to the Scottish Government's targets for reducing carbon emissions.

Kevin Brown, the airport's managing director, said: "The masterplan is our vision for our airport. It is a document that shows Edinburgh Airport, as Scotland's busiest airport, is playing a crucial role in the growth and prosperity of Edinburgh, the Lothians and Scotland as a whole.

"We had an excellent and positive response to our consultation. Many agree with our growth figures and are supportive of having a strong and growing airport in Edinburgh. Equally, they value our responsible and sustainable approach to our development."

The airport, which was recently named as the best in Europe for its size, plans to develop on 85 hectares of land currently occupied by the Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), which is pursuing its own expansion plans.

That land would be used for expanding the terminal building but the long-term vision, which would not be realised until 2040, would see 280 hectares north of the existing airport boundary used for a second runway.

Bosses said the existing runway could also be extended to allow for larger aircraft, opening up the possibility of more long-haul routes.

But Stan Blackley, chief executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: "These plans are utterly selfish, particularly when aviation is a considerable contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

"There is no such thing as sustainable aviation, and these expansion plans fly in the face of the Scottish Government's world-leading targets for reducing carbon emissions."

Speaking after his appointment as the airport's managing director last year, Mr Brown hinted that plans for a second runway had been shelved, saying the coalition government had made themselves "clear" by the decision to scrap plans for a third runway at Heathrow.

However, it now seems the additional runway is back on the agenda, with plans to increase the number of annual aircraft movements from 116,200 to 200,600 in 2040.

A spokesman for RHASS said: "We will deal with (this] when it happens. At the moment, we are aware the airport will require land but not in the short term. We are pressing ahead with our masterplan."