FAQs

Why choose Edinburgh Airport?
Edinburgh is one of BAA's fastest-growing airport, with a worldwide reputation and worldwide connections. Edinburgh Airport serves many of Scotland’s only direct routes to other cities, including: Brussels, Madrid, Munich and Zurich. The airport serves Scotland’s capital city, a high-growth area with universities and a powerful financial sector leaving no doubt that Edinburgh Airport is the gateway to Scotland, welcoming millions of business and leisure passengers every year.

How many passengers do you handle?
Edinburgh Airport serves over 100 destinations worldwide

How many destinations do you serve?
Edinburgh Airport serves over 90 destinations worldwide.

How many people work at the airport?
Edinburgh Airport directly employs more than 2,500 people. Another 7,200 people are indirectly employed, working for airlines, supply companies, travel agents, etc.

When did Edinburgh Airport open?
The airport moved to its current location in 1977. The airport was originally located at nearby Turnhouse.

How many terminals are there at Edinburgh Airport?
The airport has one terminal.

What are the biggest airlines operating out of Edinburgh Airport?
Edinburgh Airport serves over 40 airlines flying to more than 100 destinations worldwide. Domestic carriers include British Airways, easyJet, flyglobespan, BMI, flybe and Jet2. International airlines include Continental, Delta, Ryanair, Aer Lingus, Centralwings, KLM, Lufthansa and Air France.

What are Edinburgh’s most popular destinations?
The most popular country is Spain, with top destinations including Madrid, Malaga, Palma, Alicante and Barcelona. Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Dublin are also popular destinations. New York is the most popular long-haul destination. Aside from the London airports, Edinburgh’s top domestic destinations include Birmingham, Belfast and Bristol.

Are there new international services starting from Edinburgh Airport?
More than 25 new direct international services have or will start from Edinburgh in 2008. New destinations include Dusseldorf, Berlin and Bremen in Germany along with Dubrovnik, Bratlislava , Paphos, Toulouse, La Rochelle and a number of Polish cities.  Edinburgh's first scheduled service to New York's JFK airport will also commence in May.

What are you doing to secure new services?
Everyone at BAA Edinburgh Airport is dedicated to route development. The airport works closely with the City of Edinburgh Council and Visit Scotland to promote Edinburgh as a tourist destination. We recognise that passengers prefer to fly direct from Scotland and we are currently in talks with a number of airlines about the possibility of adding new international and long-haul routes from Edinburgh. In 2002, BAA Scotland, the company which owns Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen Airports, introduced a £60 million Route Development Fund in a bid to increase the number of international flights available from Scotland. In 2004, the fund was increased to £95 million.

What is the economic value of the airport to the local region?
A report by the prestigious Fraser of Allander Institute showed that under BAA’s leadership and management, Edinburgh Airport contributes over £290 million a year to the Scottish economy.

What do you do to support the local community?
Edinburgh Airport works closely with the local community. We have a dedicated community fund, which invests in community projects and good causes covering education, the environment and sport. Events like the annual Edinburgh Airport Youth Games, which brings together over 1,400 children from over 40 schools across the city, is our flagship community project. Individuals or organisations wanting to apply to the fund or wishing to get more information should contact 0131 348 4212.

What new developments are planned at Edinburgh Airport?
BAA Scotland plans to invest £240 million over the next ten years at Edinburgh Airport, including a bigger terminal building and additional aircraft stands. This builds on the substantial investment over recent years including the iconic £11 million air traffic control tower and £19 million south east pier terminal extention.

Will Edinburgh get a second runway?
The UK Government’s 2003 White Paper on the Future of Aviation gave Edinburgh Airport permission to grow. In line with the White Paper, Edinburgh Airport is seeking for land near Edinburgh Airport to be safeguarded for a possible second runway. Ultimately, however, the market will dictate whether Edinburgh Airport requires a second runway. Gatwick, with over 30 million passengers, has only one runway.

What are you doing to tackle the problem of aircraft noise?
Edinburgh Airport has a dedicated contact telephone line for residents to raise concerns about noise from aircraft with all complaints are fully investigated. Edinburgh Airport automatically charges older noisier aircraft more to land at the airport as an incentive to airlines to move to a quieter fleet. In May 2006, we introduced noise fines, whereby any aircraft that breaks the noise thresholds set down by the UK Government are automatically fined. This has had a substantial and positive effect in reducing excessive noise.

What are you doing to tackle other environmental concerns?
At Edinburgh Airport, we have a dedicated and full time environment manager, who ensures the airport meets it legal and other environmental responsibilities. We work closely with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to protect local water quality in the Gogar Burn and River Almond. We also carry out regular air quality monitoring around the airport and share the results with the City of Edinburgh Council. The greatest source of air pollution is not from aircraft but from cars coming to and from the airport. That is why we are also working to increase the already considerable percentage of our passengers who come to the airport by public transport. We are also focused on minimising waste, increasing the airport's recycling rates and becoming more energy efficient.

For information about flights or for general enquiries, call 0870 040 0007.