The Scottish Greens have branded Edinburgh Airport’s expansion plans “an act of climate vandalism” following the announcement of a £500 million investment programme.
The five-year programme will include an expansion of the terminal, new aircraft stands and gates, and improvements to passenger facilities and other airport infrastructure.
First Minister John Swinney visited Edinburgh Airport’s South East Pier expansion site with airport chief executive Gordon Dewar this week. The pier is the first phase of the development and is due to fully open in summer 2027.
Edinburgh is Scotland’s busiest airport and serves more than 150 destinations, with an average of 310 flights arriving and departing each day.
Scottish Greens MSP for Edinburgh and Lothians East Kayleigh Kinross-O’Neill said expanding the airport represented “wilful ignorance” of the climate emergency.
“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.
“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 eyewatering sums for the owners in the hundreds of millions region, to go alongside every other airport they operate. 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.”
The airport says the investment is intended to increase capacity and improve passenger facilities as it prepares for future demand.
It will include new long-haul and short-haul routes, with the airport seeking to increase connections between Scotland and destinations across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.
The first phase will also include additional electric vehicle infrastructure and other changes across the airport campus.
Backing the investment, First Minister John Swinney said: “This significant investment will enable Edinburgh Airport to compete with airports around the world. Alongside delivering real benefits to passengers, this boost will support Scotland’s international connections and help drive economic growth.
“Scotland is open for business and we want to maintain and strengthen Scotland’s position as the most attractive place in the UK for inward investment outside of London and the South East. Opportunities like this airport expansion will help make that happen.”
