£500 million airport expansion hailed as major boost for Scotland's economy
Scotland's First Minister announced a £500 million investment in Edinburgh Airport’s east-pier expansion, set to open in 2027, calling it a huge lift for the economy.
During a site visit to the east-pier works at Edinburgh Airport, First Minister Humza Swinney unveiled a £500 million investment that will see the terminal open in 2027 with additional gates, expanded check-in and departure areas, and a larger immigration hall. The funding, provided by Vinci Airports and Global Infrastructure Partners, is expected to lift passenger traffic by roughly 60 % and bring more airlines and destinations to Scotland.
Airport chief Gordon Dewar highlighted upgrades to lounges, food and drink venues, and overall passenger experience. The announcement came after a recent one outlet Air Traffic Services outage that forced over a hundred departures and arrivals to be cancelled, leading Swinney to call for greater resilience in air-traffic systems. Officials said they are working with NATS to prevent similar disruptions and restore normal schedules as soon as possible.
Why it matters
The investment will enhance Scotland's connectivity, create jobs and attract further tourism and business.
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