BAA Scotland has outlined its blueprint for developing Edinburgh Airport over the next 25 years.
Proposals, including the creation of 10,000 jobs and a new runway, have been described as an exciting chapter in the airport's history.
The plans are in response to the Air Transport White Paper covering the UK, which was issued in 2003.
The report was dubbed "a blueprint for the expansion of facilities and the introduction of new routes".
BAA will release similar documents for Glasgow and Aberdeen airports in the near future.
"This long-term approach is the right way forward for Scotland, its economy and its communities"
Donal Dowds, BAA Scotland managing director, said it was determined to increase the number of passengers using the country's airports and improving the standard of service.
He added: "BAA Scotland looks forward to more choice and a properly integrated surface access system.
"This long-term approach is the right way forward for Scotland, its economy and its communities.
"We hope that local people and the many people and organisations with an interest in each of our airports, will take this opportunity to share their views with our planners and influence the final versions of our master plans, which will be published at the end of the year."
Passenger numbers
Edinburgh Airport managing director Richard Jeffrey said the proposal represented "an exciting chapter in this airport's history".
He said it aimed to generate hundreds of millions of pounds for the local economy and provide world-class facilities, giving Scotland the chance to build strong international connections.
Edinburgh Airport is getting busier, handling 671,000 passengers in March this year - up 3.5% on the previous year.
More than eight million people passed through the airport during the year, a rise of 6.2%.
Image change
Traffic is expected to continue increasing. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and Prestwick airports could be handling up to 50 million passengers a year by 2030 - compared to 16 million in 2000.
A decision on the proposals will not be made until the end of the year.
Glasgow Prestwick Airport unveiled its new brand image on Thursday as part of a £3m refurbishment drive.
Infratil, which owns the airport, said its new "bold, quirky and humorous" theme will help customers identify with Scotland.
Chief Executive Steve Fitzgerald said: "Glasgow Prestwick has decided to build a distinctive new brand strategy revolving around the uniqueness of Scotland and its people."
^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~45~RS~)