Nostalgia: Plans for a new airport at Airth in 1974

It came from Mr Robin McLellan, vice-chairman of the British Airports Authority, who addressed members of the Chamber at their lunch meeting in Falkirk’s Metropolitan Hotel on Tuesday.

Mr McLellan, a past-president of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said he agreed with the Chamber’s opposition to the Airth plan.

He went on to outline plans for the redevelopment and expansion of Edinburgh Airport which, despite the current fuel crisis, seems set to boom.

He reminded Chamber that plans for a new runway and terminal building were proceeding as scheduled.

‘‘The argument in favour of a new runway is as strong as ever it was and the rising volume of passengers using Edinburgh Airport indicates we might set a new record in 1974,’’ he said.

He told the gathering that the British Airports Authority employed 4500 people and had made a £14.5 million profit in 1973.