Edinburgh Airport has welcomed the latest passenger figures showing that October 2016 saw 1,129,720 passengers travel through Edinburgh Airport - making it the busiest October ever at a Scottish Airport.

October is the seventh month in 2016 where passenger numbers have exceeded one million and this is the first time that Edinburgh Airport has had over a million passengers in seven months of a year.

The headline figure represents a 12.5% increase on October 2015 with the greatest growth area being passengers on international flights which had a 23.6% hike compared to the same month last year.

The total of 1,129,720 people is greater than the equivalent of over 12 capacity Wembley Stadiums or the combined populations of Edinburgh and Glasgow cities.

Gordon Dewar, Edinburgh Airport’s Chief Executive, welcomed the news, and said: “These latest passenger figures are a direct result of the growth in passenger services offering choice of routes to and from Edinburgh. This growth benefits the economy of Edinburgh, The Lothians and all of Scotland.

“Unlike the majority of UK airports we have a strong balance of inbound and outbound passengers – this gives us greater confidence as we look at the opportunities and challenges ahead.

“There is however absolutely no room for complacency –and we continue to urge the Scottish Government to deliver detail on their proposed cut to Air Passenger Duty.

“A 50 % cut to APD in one move will incentivise international airlines to deliver more new global routes to Scotland which will be a direct catalyst for a boom in inbound tourism - creating new jobs and stimulating the economy to the tune of £300 million GVA per year.”