Edinburgh is fifth busiest UK airport

More than 40 airlines serve 125 destinations from Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh Airport is the fifth busiest in the UK, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Only the London-based airports and Manchester handle more passengers.

The airport's operator said that a study showed growth at Edinburgh had recovered more quickly following disruption caused by volcanic ash and industrial action by British Airways.

Glasgow Airport was ranked in eighth place in the study of passenger numbers.

The top five UK airports, based on passenger numbers in the year ending October 2010 were Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Kevin Brown, managing director of Edinburgh Airport, said: "This is fantastic news for Edinburgh and its airport and reflects the status of the capital as a major European destination.

"It underlines Edinburgh's importance to Scotland and the UK as a whole and can only assist us as we compete across Europe to bring more flights to Scotland.

"I believe this success is built on two main factors - our reputation as a responsive and ambitious airport with which to do business and, of course, Edinburgh itself."

'Successful summer'

More than 40 airlines serve 125 destinations from Edinburgh Airport.

And one of the airlines that has expanded services out of Edinburgh in recent months, Jet2.com, said it had beaten expectations.

With 15 destinations, it said 150,000 passengers flew with the airline. Faro in Portugal and Majorca proved particularly popular, it was claimed, with both routes getting increased capacity in summer 2011.

Philip Meeson, chief executive of Jet2.com and its parent company, Dart Group, commented: "We are delighted that we have had such a successful summer at Edinburgh, and are excited about our plans for 2011 - more frequent flights, a new aircraft and more destination choices."