Passenger numbers reach record April high at airports

Scotland's airports have recorded their busiest passenger numbers for the month of April.

Figures for Edinburgh Airport showed 1,141,823 people passed through its doors, making it the busiest April and up 13% on the same month last year.

In the west, Glasgow Airport also reported its busiest April on record, with more than 786,000 passengers travelling.

Edinburgh Airport chiefs say the greatest increase was in international passenger numbers, which rose 20.4% on the same month last year to 705,683 passengers.

The increase has been attributed to 27 new international services which were launched in 2016.

Chief executive Gordon Dewar said: "These record-breaking passenger figures for April underline Edinburgh Airport's ongoing success and are very welcome indeed.

"Our expansion of routes and destinations is good news for travellers, and it also creates new jobs, opportunities and offers greater international links for people in this city, and for all of Scotland."

The increase at Glasgow Airport - up 8.9% on April 2016 - was helped by an 18% rise in international traffic.

The total was the 50th consecutive month of growth, with strong demand for Ryanair's new services to Valencia, Lisbon and the Lithuanian city of Palanga.

Managing director Amanda McMillan said: "In addition to growing our European network, we have been working hard to consolidate our long-haul offering.

"Both American Airlines and WestJet will return later this month and we also welcome Delta Air Lines to Glasgow for the first time when its inaugural service to New York-JFK takes off on May 26."

Aberdeen International airport recorded a 1.5% rise in passenger numbers for April, taking its total to 251,851.

Officials said the increase has been driven by the introduction of nine new routes in the past year.

Managing director Carol Benzie said: "It is extremely encouraging to see our international and domestic traffic perform well.

"We have added nine new routes over the course of the past year and this has contributed to us seeing a slow but steady increase in fixed-wing passengers."