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Monday, 2nd November 2009 Change Date Latest Issue

City airport sets a new passenger numbers record

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Published Date: 04 July 2009
EDINBURGH Airport has enjoyed the busiest day in its 30-year history, bucking a trend that has seen passenger numbers at most UK airports decline.
As the airport prepares for a massive influx of holidaymakers this weekend, new figures show that Scotland's biggest airport enjoyed its busiest day ever last Friday with 35,899 passengers.

The previous record of 35,782 passengers was set on 29 Ju
ne 2007.

Managing Director Gordon Dewar said: "This is a fantastic achievement for Edinburgh Airport, particularly given the current economic climate. It shows that there is still a strong demand for air travel to and from the Capital.

"We're particularly pleased that despite enjoying our busiest day ever, our customer service and security teams delivered a high quality service for our passengers."

A £40 million terminal extension is underway at the airport, with the first phase due to open to passengers in November.

Ron Hewitt, chief executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, added: "This is a fantastic endorsement of what we have always said – that Edinburgh has strength in depth."

Our sunrise sectors are growing fast and will continue to make Edinburgh the place to invest."

The airport said it expected 125,600 passengers this weekend.



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  • Last Updated: 04 July 2009 10:47 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Scotland's airports
 
1

alfonsa pedrosa,

embra 04/07/2009 12:17:35
Great news,were the booking done on line or what.
2

Kirsty Boyd-Williamson,

EH1 04/07/2009 15:23:23
Will the new terminal be enough or does the airport now need a dedicated international terminal given that it has just become Scotland's busiest airport for international passengers?
3

kenny spowart florida,

lutz 04/07/2009 17:40:59
poor planning from the very begining.1970's etc,they should take a look at tampa int florida,and copy it.
4

Icebreaker,

newbridge 04/07/2009 22:22:36
roll on the tram
5

Kirsty Boyd-Williamson,

EH1 05/07/2009 18:16:25
~ 7 : You seem rather confused. In line one you express an opinion. Yet in line 3 opinion becomes apparent fact. Which is it to be?
Edinburgh Airport is only one of 7 UK airports in the UK with an annual passenger footfall in excess of 8 million . It seems large enough to me given a nation of a little over 5 million but that's probably not what you want to hear.
6

GlobalScot,

California 05/07/2009 19:31:05
We were just back home to Edinburgh for a visit and flew out of the new wing for the first time. What I can't understand is why, with a wet climate like Edinburgh's, they built that new wing without air bridges or walkways to the plane doors? Why make passengers go downstairs, out on the tarmac and climb antiquated stairs? In this day and age I don't know of any other international airport that would build without those convenience items.

Also, try hauling luggage out to the new car hire pavilion... It's on the far extremity past the busses, taxis, shuttle bus stops, etc and, of course, opens up to the elements for about 1/3 of the long walk. Yes, the cars are now close to the check-in/out desks, but getting to the pavilion is a strenuous and likely wet experience.

Why do I get the feeling that these facilities were designed by people who seldom, if ever, travel???
7

Robin Bankes,

Culross 05/07/2009 20:03:08
~11 Let's not disparage/belittle an airport because it isn't in your local area.? Think Scotland...

This might solve the mystery of a least 3 people who frequently comment on Edinburgh Airport yet have nothing of substance to contribute except for an impression of anger or frustration and I think you may have found the key to the mystery.
With the global economic turndown I say well done to everyone who has made Edinburgh Airport such a success. I read i a Comment elsewhere that the airport is now the busiest in Scotland for international passengers.
8

Ian down under,

Musselburgh 05/07/2009 21:29:50
#9 All for the likes of Ryanair. They don't wan't you to get too comfy and then when passengers start asking for air bridges you'll get to use ine at 50 pounds a time.
as for not being a large airport. Take a look around the world at some 'major' airports and they don't handle that many more than EDI. Auckland in NZ is a 'major' airport and has 747s to Asia, A380s to Dubai A340s to Asia and Europe and even those awful 777s to London. From a country with less population than Scotland and only 12 million passengers a year. They even have a second 'major' airport at Christchurch [population 350 000] which also getss A340s, 777s and 747s to long haul destinations. So forget 'we're no big enough' we are! And we are fed up with being herded through Heathrow.
9

GlobalScot,

California 06/07/2009 16:32:21
#14 - Ian, my comments were targeted at the airport's poor welcome to weary travelers and not to its size. As the major gateway, it is the place that gets one chance to make a good first impression to visitors.

I travel extensively globally, so get to see all types of different airports. The impression I get in Edinburgh is that it is designed for the convenience and cost benefit of BAA and not for the welcoming and convenience of travelers/visitors. It feels as if the designers have little if any travel experience.

I flew in last month on one of those cheap Irish operators, arriving at one inhospitable end of the terminal. Somewhat expected poor service and inconvenient. But I left on full-service operator BA at the other end (gates 18-25) - a nice new terminal, but still inconvenient and inhospitable logistics.

 

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