Edinburgh airport has launched a six week public consultation on its Masterplan 2016 – 2040, which the airport says “sets out a framework for the sustainable development and ongoing growth and success of Edinburgh Airport to up to 2040”.

Plans include an enlarged terminal building “to create space for more passengers and facilities, particular to serve additional international services”, enlarged areas for the parking of aircraft and cargo storage, and a new road link to the Gogar roundabout.

The airport also plans to close its existing second runway, which it says “the configuration and size of which are not suitable for frequent use”, along with the “continued safeguarding of land for a new second runway”, although it says that plans indicate “we will not need this for regular use until around 2050”.

The airport also stresses that the Masterplan “is focused on our growth on the ground”, with a separate Airspace Change Programme due to be consulted on in early 2017.

Commenting on the new Edinburgh airport’s Chief Executive Gordon Dewar said:

“At Edinburgh Airport our passenger numbers have grown more in the past three years than they did in the 10 years previous.

“We’ve grown by one million passengers each year since 2012. We’ve grown our route network, serving more destinations and working with more airlines than ever.

“We believe that this growth is good for Scotland. An independent study that was carried out earlier this year gives evidence to that – the activity at the airport generates almost £1 billion per year for the Scottish economy while supporting over 23, 000 jobs.

“We also believe that growth will continue at Edinburgh Airport.

“Fundamentally we’re an importer of people. So we concentrate not on the five million Scots that we serve but on the seven billion people across the globe that wish to enjoy what our great country has to offer.

“Scotland is a great product. Our growth is driven by that product. Edinburgh is Scotland’s attack brand; it leads the rest of the country and will continue to do so, whether in terms of tourism or business. Scotland itself has a great global draw.

“Edinburgh Airport is an enabler – a conduit for prosperity for all. But we also firmly believe that our growth is something that must be linked to, supported by and supportive of Edinburgh’s future development.

“That’s why this Masterplan document is so important. It sets out how we think we’ll grow in the decades to come and we’re asking some questions around that. Your views are important in making sure that our thinking is correct and that it fits with wider plans.”

A dedicated Masterplan website will be launched inviting feedback from the public, along with a series of events where “interested parties are invited to drop in, ask questions and share their thoughts on the Masterplan”.

edinburghairport.com