Scotland’s airports have recorded their busiest ever start to a year after new aviation figures revealed passenger numbers reached record highs during the first three months of 2026.

New data released by the UK Civil Aviation Authority shows airports across Scotland experienced strong growth between January and March with demand continuing to rise ahead of the busy summer travel season.

Edinburgh Airport saw one of the biggest increases anywhere in the UK with more than 3.3 million passengers travelling through the airport during the first quarter of the year, representing a 7 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025.

The figures show growing demand for short haul European travel with more than one million additional passengers travelling between the UK and Western Europe.

Popular destinations including Madrid and Las Palmas both recorded notable increases as holidaymakers continued heading towards warmer European destinations.

The most travelled routes during the opening months of the year included Dublin, Amsterdam, Geneva, Tenerife and Dubai.

Elsewhere across Scotland, both Glasgow Airport and Inverness Airport also posted strong growth figures, each reflecting continuing demand for both business and leisure travel.

Inverness Airport recorded a 7 per cent rise in passenger numbers, underlining the continued importance of Highland air links for tourism, business and connectivity across the north of Scotland.

Meanwhile Glasgow Prestwick Airport experienced one of the most dramatic increases anywhere in the UK freight sector with cargo volumes surging by 492 per cent compared to last year.

The airport handled an additional 12,000 tonnes of freight during the first quarter alone as operations continued expanding.

Across the UK as a whole, more than 61 million passengers travelled through airports between January and March, breaking previous records for the opening quarter of a year.

The figures suggest aviation demand remains strong despite wider economic pressures affecting households and businesses.

Andrew McConnell said Scotland’s airports were seeing particularly strong momentum heading into the summer months.

“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.”

With the summer tourism season now approaching, the latest figures will be welcomed by airports, airlines and tourism businesses across Scotland as international travel demand continues climbing beyond pre pandemic levels.