Passenger numbers at Scotland's airports increased sharply in spring 2026, with almost 300,000 additional travellers taking flights compared to the same period last year, representing a 4% rise. This growth was largely driven by budget airlines, even amidst disruption caused by the war in the Middle East.
State-owned Prestwick Airport experienced a significant increase in freight flights, with cargo volumes nearly trebling year-on-year. The airport, which the Scottish government bought in 2013, also reported a record annual operating profit of £3.9 million, an 11% increase from the previous year.
Edinburgh Airport, Scotland's busiest, welcomed an extra 200,000 passengers between April and June, a 5% increase. Glasgow saw a 3% rise, and Inverness Airport's figure was up by 8%, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Aberdeen, however, saw a 1% fall in passenger numbers.
Amsterdam, Dublin, and Palma de Mallorca were the most popular passenger destinations. The CAA noted that passenger growth in Scotland was generally higher than across the UK as a whole.
A Transport Scotland spokesperson highlighted the strong performance across the Scottish market, while environmentalists from Stop Climate Chaos Scotland expressed concern about the environmental impact of increased air travel.