GLASGOW Airport is battling to regain its title of Scotland's busiest airport after being overtaken by Edinburgh for the first time.

A total of 8.7million passengers passed through Glasgow Airport last year - a fall of 1.1% on 2006 and due in part to June's terror attack.

Edinburgh's figure was 9million - a 5% rise.

Donald Morrison, spokesman for airports owner BAA Scotland, said several factors, including the terror attack, were to blame for Glasgow's fall.

He said: "Obviously in the days after the attack a large number of flights were cancelled and we lost several thousand passengers.

"It was a factor but we don't think it will have a long-term effect. Other factors are more pressing."

He also blamed a decline in charter flights and the global credit crisis.

Councillor Alistair Watson, chairman of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, described the figures as a "temporary blip" for Glasgow, Scotland's largest airport.

He added: "Once the M74 extension, Glasgow Airport Rail Link and the Crossrail projects are built the airport will have the best surface access of any in the UK.

"I'm sure the temporary dip is due to a variety of factors but the planning we have put in place gives every indication Glasgow Airport will continue to soar in terms of growth."

Lesley Sawers, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: "Glasgow has a 10-year plan for economic growth and I'm confident the airport will prosper in the future. The competition for Glasgow is not with Edinburgh but with cities in England and Europe."

A record 21.2m passengers used Scotland's airports in 2007 - a 2.8% rise.

Amsterdam was the most popular destination, while Spain remained the favourite holiday spot, with 1.3m people flying there from Scottish airports.

Long-haul flights to countries such as the US and Dubai also hit record levels, with 1.1m passengers flying in and out of Scotland. TOP 10 COUNTRIES

The 10 most visited countries in 2007 were:1. Spain 2. Netherlands 3. Ireland 4. USA 5. France 6. Germany 7. Portugal 8. United Arab Emirates 9. Turkey 10. Greece DESTINATIONS

The top 10 destinations in 2007 were:1. Amsterdam 2. Dublin 3. Palma 4. Alicante 5. Malaga 6. Paris 7. Tenerife 8. New York 9. Faro 10. Dubai LONG HAUL

The top 10 long haul destinations in 2007 were:1. New York 2. Dubai 3. Orlando 4. Toronto 5. Atlanta 6. Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt 7. Vancouver 8. Philadelphia 9. Monastir, Tunisia 10. Cancun, Mexico