Nov 16 2007
Scottish aviation sector flying towards new heights
Scotland, Nov 16: A study on the state of airport facilities in Scotland revealed that the number of passenger and the flight services have doubled over the past 15 years on the backdrop of the increasing number of direct international flight services. Lesser number of passengers are using the London connections to reach the destinations all over the Europe and the United States the report of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has revealed.
The revelation in this regard was exposed a day after the government of Scotland decision to review the financial assistance scheme in an attempt to encourage the airlines to start direct flight services for the benefit of the business and tourism sectors. The number of passengers at UK regional airports surpassed 100 million to set an all time record previous year a three fold increase of what it was in 1990.
The number of passengers in the five largest airports has seen a steep rise. The passenger rate increased to 162 per cent in the past 15 years and the international scheduled routes increased from ten to 45. The Edinburgh airport heads the growth rate as it caters the needs of 8.6 million passengers last year as against the 2.5 million previously. While the Glasgow airport saw an increase from 4.3 million to 8.8 million. The Route Development Fund (RDF) is being allotted to the new applicants. While the existing routes will be retained and funding has been reduced from £18 million this year to £10.9 million in 2010-11.
A Scottish Government spokesman said that: “The Scottish Government is aware of the impact of aviation on the environment. It is important to find a balance between sustainable economic growth and the needs of the atmosphere. That is the reason behind the government’s initiative to increase investment in public transport including the rail and bus service.
The government will work hand in hand with the airlines and the airport operators on the development of international air routes that boost business activity, bring in investments and convert Scotland as an ideal place for tourism.”
The report also shed light on the fact that the increasing mode of air travel will continue in the coming years despite the environment issues. Between the years 2000 to 2006, the number of passenger at the regional airports increased by an average of 7 percent a year as compared with 3 per cent in London. We can expect the growth rate to reach new heights in the coming years.
