Passenger numbers at Scottish airports soar to record high

The number of passengers travelling through Scottish airports reached record levels in the first quarter of this year, figures show.

UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data shows 5,795,334 passengers used Scottish airports during the period.

Short-haul European flights have been the main driver of the rise, the CAA said.

Edinburgh Airport saw one of the highest increases in passenger numbers in the UK, with more than 3.3 million in the first quarter of 2026, up 7% on the same period the previous year.

Inverness Airport saw a 7% rise to 152,870 passengers, while more than 1.6 million passengers used Glasgow Airport – a 4% increase on the previous year.

Aberdeen Airport handled 467,350 passengers, down 2% on the year before.

Andrew McConnell, CAA spokesman, said: “Scotland’s airports are seeing record demand, with more passengers choosing European destinations and growth building as we head into the summer.

“Even in a more challenging climate for aviation, services are continuing to operate reliably and passengers are travelling in strong numbers.”

The figures also show Prestwick Airport had the largest increase in cargo tonnage in the UK.

Its freight operations expanded by 492% to ship an extra 12,000 tons compared to the first quarter of 2025, the CAA said.