Edinburgh and Glasgow airports have reported one of their busiest months ever for July.
In July, Edinburgh Airport reported the busiest month ever recorded, with over one million people travelling through the airport, a rise of 13.1 percent on the previous year. Scotland’s busiest airport passed the million-passenger mark in late July, seeing a total of 1,082,938 passengers using the terminal.
Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: ‘We’re over the moon with this achievement and is testament not only to the hard work of all at Edinburgh Airport – my team, our airlines and handling agents and other partners – but to the real culture shift that has happened since the airport was bought by GIP last summer.
‘Handling over a million passengers in a month is difficult and it has been challenging. We’ve had the equivalent of the population of Stirling through our doors every day. It’s a challenge we relish and we’re looking forward to being challenged in this way on a regular basis,’ he added.
Edinburgh’s international traffic increased by 13.3 percent year on year to 634,496 in July 2013, while its domestic traffic increased by 12.8 percent year on year t0 448,442. The annual total passenger figure for the year since August 2012 is currently 9.4 million, which is the highest ever for the airport.
Meanwhile, Glasgow Airport said it that has enjoyed the busiest July in five years, with over 832,000 travellers, representing an increase of 5.4 percent compared to its passenger traffic in July 2012.
Glasgow’s international traffic contributed to a 3.7 percent increase following a strong demand from holidaymakers and solid performance of its several long haul routes. Domestic traffic increased by 8 percent, benefited mainly by the performance of British Airways’ London routes and Flybe’s UK regional services.
Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: ‘The summer season is always a busy time for the airport but there has been a marked increase in the number of people choosing to fly from Glasgow over the course of the past two months.
‘We have enjoyed consistent passenger growth since January 2011 which underlines the progress we are making in terms of securing new routes and services. It is particularly pleasing to see our domestic traffic perform so well and with Glasgow hosting events such as the World Pipe Band Championships and UDO World Street Dancing Championship, we are looking forward to a busy August.’
Glasgow Airport is continuing with its £17 million investment programme as it prepares to become the gateway to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
