THE introduction of new flights to France, Belgium and South Korea has seen passenger numbers at Glasgow Airport soar by 650,000 in the past year.

A total of 9.4 million passengers passed through the airport on its 50th anniversary year, a rise credited to the 25 new routes brought on board during 2016.

It is now predicting further growth with new flights to Munich, Bergen, Lisbon, Valencia, Palanga in Lithuania and Zadar in Croatia being introduced in the next 12 months.

But Glasgow Airport's managing director called of an immediate introduction of the proposed cut to air passenger duty (APD).

Amanda McMillan said: “If we are to realise further growth we must remain competitive with other European airports, so it’s imperative that the Scottish Government’s proposed 50 per cent cut on APD goes ahead as soon as possible.

“APD places Scotland’s airports at a severe disadvantage when it comes to competing for new routes and this cut provides the opportunity, particularly post-Brexit, to send a clear message to airlines that Scotland remains open for business.”

The SNP confirmed in November it would halve the tax on airline travel, despite claims from the UK transport secretary it would not push through with its plans.

At present every economy-class passenger over 15 pays £13 for a short-haul flight or £73 for a long-haul flight originating in the UK. APD levels are doubled for premium economy, business and first class.

In its 2015 manifesto, the SNP promised “a reduction of 50 per cent and longer term plans to abolish APD completely”. It plans to halve APD by the end of the current Scottish Parliament in 2021.

Glasgow Airport’s new figures show international and domestic traffic over the year increased by 9.2 per cent and 5.5 per cent respectively.

The airport said that in addition to the introduction of services to Marseille, Sofia and Brussels it had "strengthened its position as Scotland’s principal long-haul airport with a new direct Toronto route and additional services to Orlando".

It also became the first airport in Scotland to establish a direct service to South Korea with the introduction of inbound charter services from Seoul through flag carrier Korean Air.

Ms McMillan, added: “To record our best-ever passenger numbers month after month and to carry 9.4 million passengers was a huge accomplishment and to do it in our Golden Anniversary was extra special.

"Looking ahead, I’m confident that the efforts made to continually grow and enhance our route network has put Glasgow Airport on a firm trajectory towards the 10-million passenger mark.

Minister for Transport Humza Yousaf said: “It feels very fitting that these record-breaking passenger numbers come in Glasgow Airport’s 50th anniversary year and I congratulate everyone involved for this fantastic achievement.

“It’s exciting to see the airport go from strength-to-strength, securing new routes and services including Scotland’s first direct link with South Korea."

Throughout the year, 99.45 per cent of passengers travelled through security in under 10 minutes.