Edinburgh airport has started a public consultation on its future expansion plans over the next 25 years.
The airport, which is owned by investment firm Global Infrastructure Partners, will hold the consultation for six weeks on its masterplan, which covers the period from 2016 to 2040.
The plans include an extended terminal building to create more space for passengers and facilities, an enlarged aircraft parking area and the closure of Edinburgh’s existing second runway, which is “not suitable for frequent use”.
Edinburgh also wants to ensure the “continued safeguarding” of land as the site for a possible new second runway. Although the airport said that a new second runway would not be needed for regular use until 2050.
Gordon Dewar, the airport’s CEO, said: “Our passenger numbers have grown more in the past three years than they did in the 10 years previous.
“We’ve grown by one million passengers each year since 2012. We’ve grown our route network, serving more destinations and working with more airlines than ever.
“We believe that this growth is good for Scotland. An independent study that was carried out earlier this year gives evidence to that – the activity at the airport generates almost £1 billion per year for the Scottish economy while supporting over 23,000 jobs.”