Edinburgh Airport announced December’s passenger numbers showing that a grand total of 11,130,584 passengers passed through the airport in 2015 making it the busiest ever year at a Scottish Airport.
The annual total represents an increase of over 950,000 passengers from the 2014 total which the airport owners say cements Edinburgh Airport’s reputation as the place where Scotland meets the World.
The success was bolstered by particularly strong international passenger figures – which in December peaked with a 19 per cent year-on-year growth.
Although its overall traffic numbers are smaller, in the west of the country Glasgow Airport has issued the highest growth in its passenger numbers in the last year.
Glasgow Airport reported that more than 8.7 million passengers travelled through its doors in 2015, representing an annual increase of 13% – over one million additional passengers.
The airport, which celebrates its fiftieth anniversary year in 2016, experienced unprecedented growth during each month of 2015, ensuring it was able to record its fifth consecutive year of growth and return its passenger numbers to pre-recession levels.
Over the past 12 months the airport announced 30 new routes and services, significantly strengthened its connections to major European cities and cemented its position as Scotland’s principal long haul airport. The new services led to uplifts in both international and domestic traffic over the year – up by 16.8% and 9% respectively. The airport was also classified as one of the fastest growing airports in Europe by airport trade body ACI Europe.
More than 569,000 people travelled through the airport in December 2015 – an increase of 10.1% on 2014 figures – seeing the airport report its busiest December on record. International traffic grew by 16.4% while domestic was up by 5.3%.
Welcoming the annual passenger figures in the capital, Gordon Dewar, Edinburgh Airport’s Chief Executive, said:“Last year we enhanced passenger choice by offering more routes and more destinations– and passengers responded by choosing to fly in and out of Edinburgh Airport in greater numbers than ever before.
“This unprecedented success of 11.13 million passengers through our doors highlights the draw of Edinburgh as a destination and the growing appeal that Scotland holds across the globe.
“The 2015 annual total also represents an increase of over 950,000 passengers from the previous year.
“We remain focused on delivering more success in the year ahead. In 2016 we will continue to improve the passenger experience at Edinburgh Airport with a multi-million pound investment in our check-in and baggage systems, an improved retail offering with greater choice products and we aim to expand our range of new routes and destinations in the year ahead.
“I was asked late last year how much more Edinburgh Airport can grow in a country with little over five million people; I explained that it was not the 5 million I was worried about but how the other seven billion across the globe get to visit us.
“Our international passenger figures for December show a 19 per cent year-on-year growth; this is a strong indicator of our global ambitions and gives reason to be optimistic about further growth in the year ahead.”
Scottish Government Minister for Transport and Islands Derek Mackay said: “Reaching this milestone is a fantastic achievement and I congratulate the entire team at Edinburgh Airport for their record breaking efforts in 2015.
“The airport’s success brings benefits to both the local and national economies. By improving our international connectivity, we give Scottish businesses improved access to global markets and make the country even more attractive as a destination for tourists
“Edinburgh Airport already offers a wide range of destinations, but the Scottish Government’s plan to cut Air Passenger Duty will help encourage airlines to develop new routes as well as help sustain existing ones.
“I wish Edinburgh Airport continued success and look forward to working with them once again in 2016.”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
