THE Scottish Government has been accused of “wilful ignorance” and committing an “act of climate vandalism” by the Greens after ministers welcomed a £500 million investment in Edinburgh Airport.
On Monday, Edinburgh Airport bosses said the privately invested multi-million sum would be invested in the airport over the next five years, helping to expand terminals, facilities and infrastructure.
Other projects at Edinburgh Airport include new gates, new aircraft, an expansion to the check-in and departure areas, an increased footfall of 60%, along with better food and drink areas for passengers.
First Minister John Swinney welcomed the funding, saying it represents a “massive boost” for Scotland’s economy.
However, Scottish Greens MSP for Edinburgh and Lothians East, Kayleigh Kinross-O’Neill, said the plans to expand the airport, which averages 310 flights arriving and departing daily, would be “wilful ignorance amidst the ongoing climate emergency facing Scotland”.
“After a summer filled with wildfires in our very own city, and heatwaves that have led to loss of life, the last thing that should be happening is an expansion of an already big and busy airport by national standards,” she said.
“These plans are an act of climate vandalism, and there is a wilful ignorance towards the pressure that even more daily flights would put on our climate efforts.
“The average family going abroad on holiday once a year is not to blame here. It is the operators and owners who willingly put profits before the planet that must be held responsible for their contributions towards our climate breakdown.
“Millions of people pass through Edinburgh airport every year, bringing eye-watering sums for the owners in the hundreds of millions region, to go alongside every other airport they operate.”
Kinross-O’Neill added: “Trying to expand on that even further to compete with the likes of London airports when the world is on fire is completely out of touch.”
As part of Monday’s announcement, the First Minister visited the airport’s east pier expansion site, which is due to open in 2027.
The new facility highlights the commitment to the airport by operator Vinci Airports and Global Infrastructure Partners.
Swinney said: “Edinburgh Airport is a very successful organisation, and the investment of £500 million is a massive boost for the airport and for the Scottish economy.
“Edinburgh Airport is a gateway to Scotland that brings in flows of visitors into the country.
“It brings in investors into the country as well. So, the fact that the airport is expanding to such a significant extent provides the opportunities for more routes to come into Scotland, for people from Scotland to access more destinations, and it demonstrates that Scotland is very much open for business.”
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government fully recognises the importance of Scotland’s international connectivity, with aviation being an important enabler for so many parts of the economy.
“Our Aviation Statement describes the specific actions we will take to encourage decarbonisation and international route development.
“The Scottish Government wants to achieve a just transition for aviation that helps to meet our wider legal commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2045 – which includes national and international aviation emissions – and our ambition to work to decarbonise scheduled flights within Scotland by 2040.”
