Edinburgh Airport has launched a public consultation on its expansion plans, which include improved facilities but no new runway for decades.
The airport’s draft Masterplan 2016 – 2040 sets out a framework for its ‘sustainable development and ongoing growth and success’ for the next quarter of a century, including how it intends to meet the growing demand for air travel to and from the Scottish capital.
Air traffic control tower at Edinburgh Airport
Chief executive Gordon Dewar said: ‘At Edinburgh Airport our passenger numbers have grown more in the past three years than they did in the 10 years previous. We’ve grown by one million passengers each year since 2012. We’ve grown our route network, serving more destinations and working with more airlines than ever.
‘We believe that this growth is good for Scotland. An independent study that was carried out earlier this year gives evidence to that – the activity at the airport generates almost £1bn per year for the Scottish economy while supporting over 23, 000 jobs.’
He added: ‘We also believe that growth will continue at Edinburgh Airport.’
Key points of the plan include:
- An enlarged terminal building to create space for more passengers and facilities, particular to serve additional international services
- An enlarged area for the parking of aircraft
- An enlarged cargo storage area
- Improved access through a new road linking to the Gogar Roundabout
- The closure of the existing second runway, 'the configuration and size of which are not suitable for frequent use'
- The continued safeguarding of land for a new second runway. 'Our plan indicates that we will not need this for regular use until around 2050'
The airport has recently carried out a separate consultation on its ‘Airspace Change Programme’ plans to alter flight paths above Edinburgh.
Separately, Glasgow Airport reported its busiest October in 50 years, with 884,350 passengers, representing an annual increase of 5.7%.
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