Glasgow Airport 'sky high ambition'
19.02.08
The Evening Times has published an article on current and future plans at Glasgow Airport. In it airport officials talk of plans to update and upgrade the airport, and to regain the title as Scotland's busiest airport.
The newspaper says that the airport is 'entering the most important period in its 42-year history' as it battles to keep its crown as Scotland's number one gateway. With Edinburgh having taken its title as the country's busiest airport, £25 million is being spent on an extension and revamp of the main terminal building over the next 10 months.
Construction work is well under way on the 'Skyhub', which will reduce waiting times by directing 8.8 million passengers a year through a single hi-tech security zone, when it opens in October. The plan will also create space for new shops, bars and restaurants and is a key part of 10-year, £200m investment plan by airport owner BAA Scotland.
The newspaper reports that more than 5300 staff are directly employed at the airport, and the site supports a further 15,000 jobs across the country. In addition, there are more than 100 firms with a presence at the airport, generating £30m worth of spin-offs for local businesses every year. Around 30 airlines fly to more than 90 destinations across the world, with a record 4.1m passengers travelling overseas last year.
Passenger numbers have risen by 60% over the past 10 years and could triple to 24m by 2030, if the airport performs in line with its masterplan, boosted by more long-haul routes, new international scheduled services and new facilities. Over the period 7000 jobs could be created at the airport.
Around 93,600 flights left Glasgow last year and the airport boats the country's most successful intercontinental route, the Emirates service to Dubai. It uses the giant 210ft Boeing 777-300 - the biggest aircraft to fly from Scotland - which can carry more than 400 passengers. Half-a-million passengers flew to the Middle East on the flagship Emirates carrier in its first three years.
New long-haul services to Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto will be launched in the spring and will join Newquay, Plymouth, Cardiff, La Rochelle in western France and Faro in Portugal in the list of fresh routes for 2008.
Gordon Dewar, managing director of Glasgow Airport, told the newspaper: 'I'm proud to lead the airport at such an important time in the history of Glasgow. We want to improve the experience for our passengers and make their journeys as comfortable and seamless as possible.'
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