A £500 million investment in Edinburgh Airport represents a “massive boost” for Scotland’s economy, John Swinney has said.
On Monday, Edinburgh Airport said the privately invested sum would be invested in the airport over the next five years, expanding terminals, facilities and infrastructure.
As part of the 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.
Other projects at the airport include new gates, new aircraft, an expansion to the check-in and departure areas, an increased footfall of 60%, as well as better food and drink areas for passengers.
Mr 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.”
Gordon Dewar, chief executive of the airport, added: “It’ll touch every aspect of the customer experience.
“If you’re a Scot going off on holiday, when we’re finished this, you’ll see far better lounge facilities. There’s more capacity, so hopefully there’ll be more route choice as well, more airlines, and more destinations to fly to.
“When you come back in again, there’ll be a new immigration hall that will be much larger, much more capacity there.
“Hopefully, everything’s just smoother, higher quality, better services, and obviously more choice from everything from what you do at the airport but, as importantly, where you can fly to directly from Scotland.”
It comes after a second issue within the last fortnight caused widespread disruption at Scottish airports on Monday.
National Air Traffic Services (Nats) said an air traffic control issue was to blame.
The company said the issue was unrelated to a software fault at Nats on September 8, which caused more than 2,000 flights to be cancelled, disrupting hundreds of thousands of passengers.
Some 117 flights scheduled to depart the UK were cancelled on Monday, as well as 110 that were due to arrive, aviation analytics company Cirium said at about 4.30pm.
Mr Swinney said: “It’s very regrettable. There’s been an issue about the air traffic control system today, and that members of the public have experienced disruption as a result.
“I’m glad the issues are now resolved and that flights are able to take their normal course.
“But it demonstrates the importance of all organisations, and particularly the air traffic control system, having resilience, being able to withstand issues in the systems, so that people can rely on the services that are being provided.
“We’ll engage with Nats to ensure that these issues are addressed and that the resilience that is necessary in these systems is available at all times.”
Mr Dewar added that he hopes flights can return to normal by later on Monday or on Tuesday.
He said: “We’re working incredibly hard to look after people that are delayed or having to make other plans, making sure that the operation can be the best it possibly can in the circumstances, and help the airlines get back onto their schedule and get back to normal – hopefully by later today or early tomorrow.”
