EUROPEAN chiefs have been urged to prevent airline passengers being left without free drinking water after a survey revealed several Scottish airports are failing to provide adequate supplies.

Alyn Smith MEP has urged Brussels officials to investigate after discovering two major airports do not provide drinking water and Scotland's busiest, Edinburgh, has only two water fountains for passengers to use.

Many travellers have to pay for expensive bottled water after passing through security scanners where their supplies are confiscated for security reasons.

The SNP politician, who represents Scotland in Europe, wants Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas and Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner Tonio Borg, to introduce legislation to force all airports to provide facilities for travellers to quench their thirst free of charge.

Mr Smith said: "Many airlines and airports advise passengers to drink plenty of water throughout their journey, but it's difficult to follow that advice with no regulation for compulsory drinking water in place.

"The price of bottled water at airports is disproportionately high and while licensed premises in Scotland must provide free water, this is not a solution for everyone."

Under licensing laws, Scottish airport bars must provide free drinking water to passengers on request. However, many people may not be aware of the rule and Mr Smith added parents could be reluctant to take their children into bars.

Neither Aberdeen nor Prestwick airport has drinking-water facilities for passengers, while Edinburgh has two water fountains. Dundee has one fountain and at Inverness there are separate taps in toilets with cups available for passengers.

Security restrictions at all EU airports mean passengers cannot carry liquids through checks, but once through the gates they are left with limited options for keeping themselves hydrated, Mr Smith claims.

The EU introduced the security rules on limiting the amount of liquids allowed in carry-on baggage in 2006, but many Scottish airports have not responded by providing adequate free drinking-water facilities.

Mr Smith added: "EU rules, which I support, have meant passengers can no longer bring water through security, so it strikes me as only fair the EU should give people rights to alternative sources of drinking water at airports other than having to use pricey shops.

"Some Scottish airports are providing a great example for others to follow, but it shouldn't matter where you're flying from. Standards should be the same across the board and a supply of drinking water shouldn't be too much to ask in a 21st-century European airport."

He said the measures he is proposing are common sense and would not cost much.

In a statement, Aberdeen Airport said: "While we do not have water fountains, all our catering facilities provide free drinking water to any passenger who requests this."

An Edinburgh spokesman said: "There are water fountains just after security at Edinburgh Airport and we'll continue to listen to our passengers to see if we can improve on this."

It is understood neither airport has plans to introduce extra water fountains, although Edinburgh said staff would keep it under review.

A spokesman for Glasgow Prestwick said: "All our bars and restaurants are happy to provide passengers with free tap water if requested."

Water fountains are available at Glasgow Airport.