Edinburgh Airport has published its 2022 passenger traffic statistics, signalling a continued recovery compared with both the previous year and the pre-pandemic 2019 - its busiest year on record.
A total of 11.2 million people travelled through the airport last year, up from three million in 2021.
In 2019, the busiest ever year for a Scottish airport, Edinburgh Airport recorded a total of 14.7 million passengers.
| |
Annual 2022 |
|
Annual 2021 |
|
Annual 2019 |
|
|
Domestic |
|
3,064,117 |
|
1,500,231 |
|
5,338,511 |
|
International |
|
8,197,756 |
|
1,530,909 |
|
9,409,319 |
|
Total |
|
11,261,873 |
|
3,031,140 |
|
14,747,830 |
|
Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: “We are encouraged by the ongoing recovery in passenger numbers in 2022, which we hope in turn reflects more economic activity across the country, as inbound visitors to Scotland provide a much-needed shot in the arm for our tourism and hospitality industries.
“There is little doubt that people want to travel – both from Scotland for holidays or business opportunities or those international tourists coming to experience the best of Scotland’s visitor attractions and beautiful places and landmarks.
“The important challenge for us, in partnership with the city, the Scottish Government and others, is to facilitate growth in a responsible way and in a way that protects the vast number of high-quality jobs that airports provide, both directly and indirectly through airlines, handling agents among others, and the supply chain that supports us all.”
The figures were published as a Scottish academic explored how Edinburgh Airport can shape a more prosperous Scottish economy, while moving towards net zero emissions.
Professor Duncan Maclennan is looking at the airport’s broader role in civic Scotland, comparing and contrasting with international cities like Sydney and Toronto.
Separately, Business Minister Ivan McKee told MSPs yesterday that no loan funding has been provided to Prestwick Airport since 2019, with the budget making no provision for additional loan funding “as we do not envisage any being required in 2023-24”.
Speaking to the Public Audit Committee, he challenged statements from Audit Scotland that the airport continued to require government support.
The Scottish Government has extended loans of £43.4m since Prestwick was nationalised in 2013. Auditor General Stephen Boyle recently said he did not see that changing while still under public ownership.
“On an annual basis many millions of pounds of public expenditure are being used to support the airport, to sustain jobs and services within the airport,” he said. “That will remain the case for as long as it remains in public sector hands.”
The airport is valued at only £11.6m, according to the national auditor.
However, McKee responded: “To be honest, I’m not sure on what basis the auditor general made that statement, because for the last three years the business at Prestwick airport has been profitable.
“There is no indication that there will be any additional funding required in this financial year - we expect that profitable position to continue into the future.”
The government had intended to sell the airport, but it was taken off the market in 2021 after talks stalled with a potential private buyer.
McKee said that the government was still open to offers for Prestwick.
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.
