In pictures: Edinburgh airport celebrates 100th birthday

BEA air hostess Jill Morgan prepares to welcome passengers to a flight departing from Turnhouse in June 1955. Picture: TSPL

Edinburgh airport is today beginning a programme of events to mark its 100th birthday, having started life as a Royal Flying Corps aerodrome on March 2, 1916.

The facilities at Turnhouse consisted of nothing more than a hastily-assembled runway and a few nissen huts.

It was the most northerly aerodrome in the UK but played a key role in the country’s air defence at a time when planes were still in their infancy.

Actress Marlene Dietrich and composer Burt Bacharach arrive at Turnhouse for the Edinburgh Festival in 1965. Picture: TSPL

It was renamed RAF Turnhouse in 1918.

Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, it was taken over by RAF Fighter Command and a new concrete runway was laid to handle the new Supermarine Spitfire.

During the Battle of Britain, Turnhouse was home to No.3, 65, and 141 squadrons.

The airport remained under military ownership following the end of the war but commercial flights began in the late 1940s.

An exterior view of Edinburgh airport in 1966. Picture: TSPL

The runway was extended in 1952 and a purpose-built passenger terminal opened in 1956.

The British Airports Authority (BAA) took over ownership of the airport on April 1, 1971. Initial stages of the redevelopment began two years later and the terminal building, designed by Sir Robert Matthew, was opened officially by Her Majesty the Queen on 27 May 1977.

BAA sold Edinburgh Airport to Global Infrastructure Partners in April 2012 and the airport has since experienced increasing growth with passenger traffic at Edinburgh Airport reaching a record level in 2015 with over 11.1 million passengers.

Gordon Dewar, Edinburgh Airport chief executive, said: “Today is a landmark date as we set out our plans in the months ahead to celebrate 100 years of air travel at Edinburgh Airport.

Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru is welcomed to Turnhouse with garlands of flowers in 1961. Picture: TSPL

“Although clearly focused on delivering future growth at Edinburgh Airport we have a rich and long history here, and we aim to involve as many people as possible in celebrating this great centenary story.

“We will be planning a series of events including parties, limited edition giveaways and competitions to come in the months ahead.

“Our passengers and adults and kids in the local community will be invited to get involved as we offer limited edition giveaways, host competitions and hold a major party to come in the months ahead.”