The extension will increase capacity in the terminal, create new retail capacity and provide a new security screening area.

The new security search area will have capacity for 14 x-ray machines, allowing the airport to handle up to 13 million passengers a year.

The £40m project is the first phase of a planned £100m investment over the next five years. The 5,000sqm extension has been designed by Archial and will be built by Balfour Beatty.

Airport MD, Gordon Dewar said: "This investment is a significant vote of confidence in Edinburgh Airport. It will help stimulate the local economy and create or support hundreds of jobs at what is obviously a difficult time for the airline industry and for the wider economy.