 The new tower will allow the airport to handle more flights |
Passenger numbers at Edinburgh airport could soon overtake Glasgow after the opening of a new control tower. The state-of-the-art facility will allow the airport to handle more flights and should reduce delays.
Scottish Secretary Alistair Darling joined BAA and air traffic control representatives for the official opening of the �11m control centre.
However, environmentalists have warned of increased pollution as a result of the airport expansion.
Airport officials called the new control tower an "exciting and modern building" which would help in cutting delays.
International destinations
Until completion of the new building, flights had been directed by a wartime control tower.
Officials said the new building would enable air traffic controllers to handle 38, rather than 28, flights per hour.
Edinburgh Airport - unlike Glasgow - has traditionally been the main business airport, operating the highest number of domestic flights.
 |  This new tower is in the right place and will last this airport for the next 20 or 30 years |
Recently, though, there has been a big rise in demand for international destinations.
Donal Dowds, the managing director of BAA Scotland, said Edinburgh was growing by 6% each year - twice the rate of Glasgow.
He said the new tower was replacing one which was built in 1940 for RAF Turnhouse.
"The old tower is obsolete and in the wrong place," he told BBC Scotland.
"This new tower is in the right place and will last this airport for the next 20 or 30 years."
He said it would make it easier for Edinburgh to handle more aircraft.
However, environmental campaigner, Douglas Smart, who lives on one of the flight paths, said his concerns included climate change, pollution and noise.
"This country is sleep-walking into an environmental catastrophe," he said.
"Even the present levels of flying are unsustainable. The increase that is projected is going to be an absolute nightmare.
"It simply cannot happen. We need some action."
Economic benefits
Mr Dowds admitted that everyone had to be aware of the environmental challenges associated with the growth in aviation.
He said the government had recognised the economic benefits but made it clear that the industry had to raise its game in mitigating the impact.
"We at BAA are determined and committed to doing that," he said.
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