Scots airports see year-on-year rise in passengers

More passengers are travelling through Scotland's three main airports than at the same time last year. Picture: PA

Edinburgh Airport saw 4.4 per cent more passengers, up 34,000 on April last year.

Domestic and international traveller numbers totalled 801,576 for the month with 433,753 using international routes, up 10 per cent on the previous year. But domestic passenger numbers at Edinburgh fell 1.4 per cent to 367,823.

Almost 550,00 people used Glasgow Airport during April, up 0.4 per cent on the same month last year. Officials say this was down to strong demand for domestic and long-haul travel, coupled with Lufthansa Regional’s launch of direct flights to Dusseldorf.

Wizz Air flights to Warsaw and Gdansk, which began in March, continue to prove popular.

Aberdeen International Airport reported 3.7 per cent more passengers, although numbers in the helicopter sector were down 6.4 per cent but this is said to have been offset by growth in domestic and international fixed-wing passengers. The airport has also seen new Virgin Atlantic flights.

Edinburgh Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar said: “It’s clear to see that April was a very busy month for Edinburgh Airport and we’re delighted to see so many passengers travelling with us. April’s passenger numbers are no doubt a result of the recent launch of easyJet’s new European routes, as well as the new flights from Ryanair and the start of Virgin Atlantic’s new Little Red service to Heathrow.

“We’re on course for a bumper summer season with the introduction of our new summer schedule as well as the new Air Canada Rouge service to Toronto which will launch in July. This is hugely exciting and will help promote Edinburgh and Scotland to a new and exciting market.”

Glasgow Airport managing director Amanda McMillan said: “It is always pleasing to report growth and April was yet another busy month in terms of passenger numbers and route announcements.

“Outwith the launch of the new Lufthansa Regional service, there were a number of positive developments. We received confirmation from Thomson Airways we will be the first Scottish airport to welcome the Dreamliner when it arrives on July 8 and British Airways reaffirmed its commitment to Glasgow with the launch of its new £800,000 lounge.

“Our multimillion-pound investment programme is under way and passengers will begin to notice work within the terminal, particularly in the check-in hall where we are currently creating more space as we approach the busy summer period.”

Key sections of main terminal at Glasgow Airport are being refurbished in time for next year’s Commonwealth Games.