2014 was another record-breaking year for Edinburgh Airport, with a total of 10,174,684 passengers flying from the airport over the year – a 4% increase on 2013. Colin Keir, MSP for Edinburgh Western constituency which includes Edinburgh Airport, welcomed the news and said the airport is a ‘global success story’.
The airport passed the historic 10 milion mark on 23 December.
Mr Keir said: “Despite difficult trading conditions, Scotland’s busiest airport continues to grow. Perhaps the most impressive statistic is the 89% rise in direct long haul flights. Along with the environmental advantages of direct flying the passenger gets a better deal by cutting down on the obscene Air Passenger Duty (APD) which they would be required to pay if they use another UK airport such as Heathrow.
“I’m delighted that passengers are voting with their feet and using this, one of the capital’s business assets. I am aware of the major financial investment made at the airport as well as the efforts of management and staff to produce a first class experience for travellers. When the airport works well it has a tremendous knock-on effect to the local and national business community and, with more direct flights, business and tourist travellers benefit through lower costs and faster journeys. I welcome today’s great news and congratulate everyone who is making Edinburgh airport a global success story.”