PASSENGERS can expect to get through Edinburgh Airport quicker once a new £80 million extension is complete next year.

Work has now started on the three-story extension which will stretch out from the existing gate 12 area, covering the old east end service yard out to the Gogar Burn.

The expansion is part of the airport’s £220m investment programme to help handle the forecasted growth of up to 16.5million passengers by its 2021.

It will mean mean extended immigration, customs and international reclaim facilities, and a new home for our domestic reclaim hall, enabling the expansion of our baggage hall into the current domestic reclaim area.

There will also be new shops and restaurants and six new gates.

Gordon Dewar, Edinburgh Airport chief executive, said: "There have been times this summer where we’ve experienced busy periods that have impacted on our service and this investment in new facilities will ensure we have the infrastructure needed to handle more passengers and provide them with a positive experience whether arriving or departing.

“As Scotland’s gateway to the world, it’s vital that we have first class infrastructure and we will continue to invest in that, creating more jobs, supporting the economy and opening up Scotland to the world.”

An Edinburgh Airport spokesman said: "By putting in the new baggage reclaim and immigration and customs facilities then we’re aiming to process people more quickly."