A growing economy needs a growing airport
Like us, many Chamber members will be asking themselves where the last 12 months have gone and reflecting on what was a pretty momentous year for our country. Scotland stood on the global stage and we showed the world how to put on a show.
Events like The Ryder Cup and our famous festivals brought more passengers to our shores than ever before. Almost 10.2 million people travelled through Edinburgh Airport in 2014, a record number, and our second consecutive record-breaking year.
As Scotland’s busiest airport, it’s in our best interests to help develop and maintain strong international relations. The success we enjoyed last year in attracting a number of new short and long haul routes to Edinburgh Airport is testament to this.
Increasing connectivity is our bread and butter and it’s what we’ve demonstrated successfully over the last 12 months. We’re here to make sure those who want to visit us, can. We’re also part of the wider Team Scotland, made up of various organisations, with the shared goal – to shout about everything that makes our country great.
Scotland as a destination sells itself. Edinburgh Airport is here to extend our reach and to make it as easy as possible to visit.
Our route development team works hard behind the scenes to drive our connectivity; doing the negotiating and signing the deals that help us maintain our status as Scotland’s busiest airport and the first in Scotland with three Middle Eastern carriers. The latest being Etihad Airways which will launch its first daily from Scotland to Abu Dhabi on 8th June this year.
Led by our Head of Aviation, the route development team is made up of an eclectic mix of nationalities, including Czech, Greek and American, and this secretive bunch are responsible selling Edinburgh, and our airport, to numerous airlines interested in joining our ranks. It’s in these meeting rooms that new relationships are forged and with the help of our city partners, including the Chamber, City Council and Scottish Government, we work to nurture and develop these into successful partnerships to enhance our economy.
It’s hugely important that we remain open to new opportunities and the next 12 months will be full of them. This year, as we celebrate Scotland’s fastest growing industry, food and drink, we should take stock of the strong relations we already enjoy with various global partners who help us export our amazing products around the world.
We can’t be complacent however. There are always new introductions to be made and new opportunities to explore. We need to harness the success of 2014 and use this to broaden our links around the world.
Edinburgh Airport is where Scotland meets the world and we are committed to playing our part in Team Scotland to make sure it’s as easy as possible to get here.
