75,000 New Year revellers fly to Edinburgh for party season
New figures have today been welcomed by Gordon Dewar and Edinburgh City Council showing that Edinburgh Airport is set to have its greatest ever number of arriving passengers in the pre-Hogmanay period.
In the week between Christmas Day and the last flight on 31 December Edinburgh Airport will welcome around 75,000 arriving passengers. Up from over 70,966 arriving passengers in the same period last year and up again from the 66,708 who arrived at Edinburgh Airport in the final week of 2013.
Throughout the festive period a dip in passenger numbers happens at all airports but a year-on-year comparison shows Edinburgh Airport is going from strength to strength - and the appeal of both the Capital city and Scotland as a party destination have been cited for this increase.
Welcoming this year’s figures Edinburgh Airport’s Chief Executive Gordon Dewar said:
“Last year’s arriving passenger figures in the run up to New Year smashed all records of Scottish Airports – so to go one better this year is a great achievement.
“Edinburgh is rightly recognised globally as a world-class city and Scotland is a massive brand. It’s easy to see why. Our heritage, our culture and our people. People want to visit us – and at this time of year they want to party with us.”
Councillor Frank Ross, Economy Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said:
“After its busiest year ever, Edinburgh Airport looks set to start 2016 on a high. Tens of thousands of visitors from 70 countries will join us for our world-class Hogmanay celebrations and the new passenger routes and strengthened schedules introduced by Edinburgh Airport unquestionably support the city’s successful visitor economy.
“The continued popularity of the Capital’s winter festivals, including the New Year’s Day Loony Dook at South Queensferry, translates into positive economic benefits for our hotels, retail sector and transport links and creates new opportunities for investment and employment. I hope that all of our visitors experience a fantastic New Year with us here in Edinburgh.”