Edinburgh Airport welcomed more than 200,000 more passengers than the same period last year (+5%), while Glasgow Airport saw a 3% increase. Inverness Airport saw passenger numbers grow by 8% year-on-year, ranking among one of the largest increases in this period.Picture credit Glasgow Prestwick Airport
Cargo volumes also grew across Scotland, with Glasgow Prestwick recording a 197% increase in cargo tonnage, alongside growth at Edinburgh (+9%) and Glasgow (+4%).
This continued the trend seen in the first three months of 2026 of holidaymakers flying in search of European sun. The number of Scottish passengers travelling to Faro and Malaga increasing by 13%.
Ross Lydall, spokesperson for the UK Civil Aviation Authority said:
“Demand for flying remains high, as Scottish passengers adjust their travel plans around global events.
“The growth in passengers travelling to and from Scottish airports was higher than that seen across the wider UK.
“These results remind us of highlight the sector’s resilience and hard work and keep the UK on course for another record-breaking year.”
Keir Mather, Aviation, Maritime and Freight Minister, said:
“Our aviation industry continues to show its strength and resilience, with record numbers of holidaymakers taking off this Spring, helping to support jobs, businesses and growth across the UK.
“We acted quickly to support airlines and airports against the backdrop of conflict in the Middle East, including giving airlines greater flexibility to lock in flight schedules early, helping to keep last-minute disruption to a minimum, with fewer than 1% of flights cancelled at short notice between May and July.
“This shows that our action, alongside the resilience and hard work of airlines and airports, is paying off and we will keep working with industry to keep people and businesses moving.”