The Scottish airport saw foreign passengers leap 21%, to 7,159,297 in 2016, just beating Luton which recorded a 20% rise (to 13.5m).

With an additional 34 routes starting this year, Edinburgh Airport will offer more than 200 routes for the first time.

Chief executive Gordon Dewar, said: “This expansion of routes generates more growth for Scotland’s economy and creates work and leisure opportunities for people and businesses.

“We have a healthy equilibrium of inbound and outbound passengers with the most balanced mix of any UK airport outside London.

“The blend of increasing long haul routes, the enhanced choice to destinations across Europe and an unrivalled range of services to London and domestic locations has proved to be a winning combination.

The CAA figures, for airports with more than 1m international passengers per year, highlighted the strength of the UK’s regional bases. Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Cardiff, Liverpool and Belfast International all recorded double-digit growth.

Manchester remained the largest airport outside of the capital (up 23% to 23.3m international passengers). Gatwick grew by 7% (to 39.2m), while Heathrow remained in top spot for foreign flyers, handling just over 71m in 2016 (up 1%).

Aberdeen airport was the only loser in the list, seeing international passengers fall 11% to 1.3m.