An artist's impression of the proposed extension

The BAA blueprint focuses on the terminal and airfield facilities needed to meet the anticipated increase in the demand for air travel.

It replaces a revised plan which was published in May last year.

However, the airport's neighbours the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) said the plan could see it evicted from Ingliston.

BAA managing director Richard Jeffrey said the blueprint, which includes a �300m investment over the next decade, would strengthen the airport's foundations.

The document details the airport's development up to 2013 and, in more general terms, up to 2030.

About eight million passengers use the airport each year.

This is expected to be 26 million passengers a year by 2030.

Aiming to increase air travel will simply fuel climate change with the taxpayer picking up the bill as the industry continues to enjoy virtually tax-free fuel Shiona Baird Scottish Greens

Mr Jeffrey said he believed that Edinburgh Airport's success was "good for Edinburgh and good for Scotland".

But he said that future growth needed to be delivered in a "responsible and sustainable manner".

Tourist body VisitScotland welcomed the planned expansion.

The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry said the plans were "excellent news for businesses".

However, Scottish Green Party energy spokeswoman Shiona Baird said there was nothing sustainable about the plan.

"Aiming to increase air travel will simply fuel climate change with the taxpayer picking up the bill as the industry continues to enjoy virtually tax-free fuel," she said.

'Detrimental impact'

The Edinburgh Airport master plan will be reviewed and updated every five years.

The expansion plans have come in for criticism from the airport's neighbours, the RHASS at Ingliston, which said it would be evicted if they become reality.

The RHASS site is home to Scotland's National Showground and attracts 1.2 million visitors per year as well as generating �250m for the economy, according to organisers.