Airport News
Flights increase to Ireland from Glasgow Airport
Sun, 31 Jan, 2010
Glasgow Airport has received a huge boost to its services to Ireland after a deal was agreed with Aer Lingus and Aer Arran.
This new agreement means that there will now be 12 flights each week to Ireland with the Irish airlines from the airport, with three of them being new services to Cork.
The remaining journeys will be trips to Dublin, with all additional services commencing from March 28th.
It is hoped that the new routes will promote greater tourism and business links between the two countries, with the new journeys generating approximately 13,000 more visits from leisure travellers to the Scottish city.
Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said that Ireland is one of Scotland's biggest overseas tourist markets and that passengers who depart from the airport for Cork, which is a new destination for the hub, can enjoy a "vibrant, cosmopolitan" city.
Glasgow Airport has recently benefitted from a range of new services, including the introduction of Kiss Flights, which will be taking travellers to destinations in countries including Greece, Turkey and Spain.
London Stansted Airport ownership appeal from BAA begins
Mon, 19 Oct, 2009
BAA is due to start its appeal against an order that it must sell off three of its seven UK airports, including London Stansted Airport.
It has been told it must sell London Stansted Airport, London Gatwick Airport and either Edinburgh or Glasgow Airport.
BAA will appeal against the decision that it must get rid of the airports at a Competition Appeal Tribunal, in a hearing that is expected to last for around three days.
It has already put London Gatwick Airport up for sale but has yet to finalise a deal to sell it.
The Competition Commission has ordered BAA to cut the number of airports it owns due to concerns about its market dominance.
Its order will be appealed against by the company on the grounds that the change in the economic climate has seen radical falls in passenger numbers and freight.
Last month, the company revealed it had suffered a 2.6 per cent drop in passengers compared to numbers in September 2008.
Glasgow Airport hero 'set to pull out of election'
Wed, 14 Oct, 2009
Glasgow Airport hero John Smeaton, who helped foil a terrorist attack on the airport in 2007, is set to stand down from his by-election campaign, according to media reports.
Mr Smeaton was working as a baggage handler at Glasgow Airport when he helped a police officer tackle two suicide bombers.
The footage of his actions was broadcast on the internet and a tribute website was set up in his honour.
Last month, he announced he was to stand as an independent candidate in the Glasgow North-East by-election.
But the Daily Record has said the former Glasgow Airport worker intends to quit the race due to concerns over his health.
Mr Smeaton suffers from severe asthma and a source told the paper: "His doctor is worried the campaign might be too much and John will stand down on health grounds."
The baggage handler left his job at Glasgow Airport in June 2008.
New allegations made in Glasgow Airport rail link row
Fri, 09 Oct, 2009
The row over Glasgow Airport's planned rail link (GARL), which was cancelled last month, has restarted after its managing director questioned the basis on which the scheme was scrapped.
Glasgow Airport's Amanda McMillan said that the £70 million additional expenditure figure used by the SNP as justification for scrapping the project was not one recognised as accurate by the airport.
Similar claims had already been made by Glasgow City Council leader Steven Purcell.
But Scottish transport minister Stewart Stevenson defended the figure in a statement reported by the Herald.
"The cost of the works and compensation necessary in the airport campus to permit the construction of GARL had risen from £8m at the time of the bill to £70m at the current time," he said.
Rail union RMT has called on the Scottish government to reinstate the scheme, and said the building of the Glasgow Airport link could provide around 1,300 jobs for the area.
Glasgow Airport to Sydney flights now seven hours quicker
Fri, 02 Oct, 2009
Flights from Glasgow Airport to Sydney will now be seven hours quicker after airline Emirates introduced a new service from Scotland's busiest airport.
From the start of December 2009 flights to the Australian destination will take around 22-and-a-half hours.
Previous flights between the two airports, which start from £655 per person with Emirates, took more than 30 hours as passengers had a long wait between connecting flights at Dubai Airport.
The journey will be made quicker because of a new daily service introduced by the airline that leaves Dubai for Sydney only 75 minutes after the Glasgow Airport to Dubai plane has touched down.
Laurie Berryman, Emirates's UK North manager, said: "Australia is a key destination for both business and leisure passengers travelling with us from Scotland, and our new Sydney service makes flying Down Under quicker than ever before."
Nearly nine million passengers use Glasgow Airport each year, making it the seventh busiest airport in the UK.
Proposed Glasgow Airport rail link reaches end of the line
Mon, 21 Sep, 2009
Glasgow Airport's planned rail link has been scrapped by the Scottish Parliament as it looks to make budget cuts.
Finance secretary John Swinney said the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) had reluctantly decided to cancel the project in order to ensure the country's capital budget remained sustainable for future years.
The £395 million rail link formed part of the bid document that won Glasgow the right to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games but it is believed the city's host status will not be affected by the announcement.
Swinney told the Scottish Parliament that the move was a financial necessity.
"The Scottish Government's departmental expenditure – the money over which we have direct control – will reduce in real terms by 0.9 per cent compared with this year," he said.
The move will mean that the 1,000 jobs that were to be created by the project in Glasgow and the west of Scotland will now be lost.
With nearly nine million travellers passing through it each year, Glasgow Airport is Scotland's busiest terminal.
More English people using airport parking at Glasgow
Fri, 11 Sep, 2009
Increasing numbers of English holidaymakers are driving to and parking their cars at Glasgow Airport to take advantage of its cheap flights.
This is according to airport bosses, who this summer launched a promotional campaign which has attracted passengers from as far afield as Manchester, Newcastle and Cumbria.
The campaign centres on the fact that Scottish schoolchildren went back to class earlier than their English counterparts, meaning that travellers from south of the border have been able to take advantage of cheaper deals.
Glasgow Airport's airline relations manager Paul White explained that there had been a ten per cent increase in the number of English passengers using the airport this summer.
"Over the past few weeks, we have seen a marked increase in the number of English holidaymakers, with some travelling as far as Nottingham and even Surrey to take advantage of the fantastic deals on offer from Glasgow," he said.
Over the course of last year, more than 8.1 million people travelled from Glasgow, making it the eighth busiest airport in the UK.
July was third busiest in Heathrow Airport's history
Mon, 17 Aug, 2009
Heathrow Airport has reported one of the most successful months in its history.
Just under 6.5 million passengers passed through the travel hub in July, which represents a 0.9 per cent rise on the same month last year, according to BAA figures.
BAA, which also owns a number of other UK airports, also reported that Glasgow Airport reported a rise in passenger traffic during the period.
The Scottish airport showed a 5.6 per cent growth in passenger numbers and is the fourth month in a row that it has showed an increase, reaching just over 818,000 people.
Among the company's other airports Stansted and Gatwick both suffered declining visitor numbers, although the fall was not as pronounced as in June.
The bad weather in Britain has been attributed with a last minute surge in foreign holidays, which could explain the success at some of Britain's largest airports.
Glasgow airport to become most fashionable
Wed, 01 Jul, 2009
Glasgow airport is set to become the hottest ticket in town for those wanting to indulge in some last minute retail therapy before embarking on their summer holiday.
That is according to the Herald newspaper which reported that a retail group has announced plans to open 11 new stores at the Scottish airport.
McArthurGlen Luxury Retail plan to introduce the new shops as part of the renovation and modernization of the airport and they will be a "stylish, curved avenue of stores".
Chairman of McArthurGlen Luxury Retail Brian Collie said: "When you combine a vibrant city, a stylish airport, great brands and customers obsessed with fashion, Glasgow makes the ideal location for Collezioni," as reported in the Herald.
The new shops are one of many changes being made to the airport which will make it much more modern and accessible in the coming years.
Glasgow airport services some 8.1 million customers annually and is currently undergoing a multi-million pound expansion programme which will include a £31 million terminal extension.
Figures drop in May for BAA
Wed, 10 Jun, 2009
UK airport operator BAA has reported a fall in its traffic for last month.
The organisation, which is responsible for seven airports and is owned by Spanish firm Grupo Ferrovial, suffered a 7.3 per cent slide in passenger numbers in May.
Stansted experienced a drop of 18.5 per cent, with the decreases for Aberdeen and Glasgow being 14.1 per cent and 11.7 per cent respectively.
Gatwick had a 6.5 per cent decline and Heathrow's was 3.9 per cent.
But Edinburgh saw a rise of 1.4 per cent.
BAA said that demand is low but the trend had not seen a significant change since December.
Travellers can make bookings for airport parking online through the BAA website.
According to the organisation, this can be a cheaper option as well as making sure an airport parking bay is available.
BAA's prices are regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Competition Commission.
Glasgow Airport gains new Iceland link
Fri, 01 May, 2009
Glasgow Airport has gained a new route to Iceland, it has been announced.
Icelandair will run the service, which begins on August 27th and ends on November 8th this year.
Flights will go to Reykjavik twice a week from the facility - on Thursdays and Sundays.
Customers will be able to get connecting services from the Icelandic capital to Toronto, New York and Orlando.
The airline's general manager in the UK and Ireland Hjorvar Saeberg Hognason said: "We are pleased to return to Glasgow with these special flights and hope that our customers in Scotland take advantage of visiting Iceland at this exciting time of the year."
He added that it gave tourists the perfect opportunity to visit events in the country such as the Iceland Airwaves music festival.
People who are planning to drive to Glasgow's hub are advised it is located eight miles from the city centre, near to the M8 motorway.
Those with satellite navigation systems in their car can input the postcode PA3 2SW to get the best route.
New food outlet for Glasgow Airport
Wed, 04 Mar, 2009
Glasgow Airport will be the site of the city's first outlet for the EAT food franchise.
Co-owner of EAT Faith MacArthur said she was "excited" to see how Glaswegians would respond to the shop, which will open at the end of the month.
It will offer a range of products, including sushi, soup, porridge and Scottish breakfast muffins.
The outlet will be set up in the main terminal and have capacity for approximately 70 people.
Meanwhile, airports have been accused of cashing in on security procedures by charging for clear plastic bags for passengers to carry liquids, reports the Telegraph.
Manchester, Luton, Bristol and Newcastle Airports all charge £1 for the bags.
At Manchester, it is thought that the bags, dispensed by vending machines, can bring in £3,500 every week.
Several passengers criticised the move, which they said was making money from security issues.
Manchester traveller Wendy Barrowcliffe told the paper it was "scandalous" to have to pay.
Pro-public transport measures for Glasgow Airport would reduce need for airport parking
Fri, 27 Feb, 2009
Airport parking may not be as much in demand at Glasgow Airport under a new plan to reduce the use of cars there.
Operator BAA has unveiled a five-year scheme aimed at upping public transport to and from the airport.
As well as cycling and walking programmes for staff, the plan intends to raise public transport passenger numbers to 1.2 million by 2012.
New bus routes are under consideration, as well as the possibility of lanes for buses and taxis.
Taxi-sharing schemes are another option.
Amanda McMillab, managing director of the airport, said that "real progress" had been made since 2001 but more was needed to bring the airport's public transport use in line with others of the same size.
Glasgow Airport claims to be the busiest in Scotland and to provide flights to more destinations globally than any other one in the country.
Passenger volume at the airport has risen by 60 per cent in the last decade, meaning nine million travellers pass through it annually.
BAA profits fall
Thu, 26 Feb, 2009
BAA is suffering from dropping profits as passenger numbers fall and fuel prices rise.
Stansted has seen a six per cent slump in profits, going from £476 million to £23 million.
Passenger numbers for BAA have fallen by 2.7 per cent.
Colin Matthews, chief executive, said that 2009 looks to be "challenging" and acknowledging that the economic climate is expected to affect passenger volume.
Combined, Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick experienced a fall of 2.6 per cent, or 3.4 million fewer passengers.
But for the former, the passenger numbers declines by a relatively low 1.4 per cent.
Airport company BAA is regulated by the Competition Commission and the Civil Aviation Authority for its prices.
Owned by Ferrovial, its airports are in London, Scotland and Southampton.
Its Scottish hubs are in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
It states on its website that it has "a clear accountability to both public duty as well as to our passengers".
BA criticised after Glasgow Airport decision
Fri, 31 Oct, 2008
British Airways (BA) has been slammed by a Scottish MP after its decision to close its cabin crew base at Glasgow Airport.
The carrier said that affected workers have been given the choice of moving to Heathrow or accepting voluntary redundancy, but Jim Sheridan, Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP, said this is not good enough.
"This would be an impossible proposition for my constituents affected by this decision," he remarked to the Glasgow Evening Times.
Mr Sheridan pointed out that many members of staff have been based in Glasgow for years and it would be difficult for them to move their families.
BA chief executive Willie Walsh denied that the airline is cutting its regional focus and said it is still in "meaningful discussions" with staff.
Earlier this month, Simon Calder, travel editor for the Independent, said that BA has effectively become 'London Airways' after cutting the last route from Manchester Airport to a foreign destination, New York.
Glasgow Airport passengers 'benefiting from Emirates service'
Mon, 22 Sep, 2008
Passengers departing from Glasgow Airport have benefited from services introduced by Emirates Airlines in 2004, it has been reported.
The carrier is the only one to offer long-haul services east from Scotland, meaning that travellers can get direct flights to Dubai.
They can then get transfers to a number of worldwide destinations, including Australia, the Press and Journal reports.
Once at Glasgow airport, Emirates passengers have their own dedicated check-in area, making services quick and easy, Emirates' manager for UK north and Scotland Laurie Berryman said.
"We have been thrilled with the success of our service and how enthusiastically it has been received by both business and leisure passengers across Scotland," he commented.
Mr Berryman added that more services are likely to be introduced at the hub, since demand is continuing to grow.
Emirates Airlines recently won the accolade of best in-flight entertainment in the world (large airlines) at World Airline Entertainment Association's Avion Awards in California.
BA urged to protect Glasgow-London City flights
Thu, 07 Aug, 2008
British Airways (BA) is being urged to protect flights between Glasgow and London City Airport.
Scottish business leaders were responding to news that BA is reviewing its four-times-a-day service to London City Airport in addition to the closure of "hundreds" of other services between the two cities.
Between this October and next March, BA will apparently cut 287 return flights between Gatwick and London Heathrow and Gatwick, reports the Glasgow Evening Times.
Glasgow chamber of commerce chief Richard Cairns told the paper that any move to slash the Glasgow-London City service would be bad for business north of the border.
"We would particularly hope that London City flights will not be heavily affected, given their value to the financial services sector," he stated.
BA recently announced that its profits for the second quarter of the year fell by 87.6 per cent when compared with the same period in 2007.
Hutton backs Heathrow expansion
Thu, 17 Jul, 2008
Business secretary John Hutton has expressed his support for a third runway at London Heathrow Airport.
BAA, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways have all urged the government to approve the expansion of the airport.
Mr Hutton said the government must not "pander to pressure groups", adding that ministers are "quite clear" that London Heathrow needs a new runway.
But Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker accused the government of acting like a "subsidiary" of BAA.
And despite protests from environmental campaigners and local residents, the government had long ago made up its mind, he said.
Last year, Gordon Brown pledged to expand transport infrastructure in Britain, saying it was vital for Britain's economic success.
According to BAA, London Heathrow is currently running at 99 per cent runway capacity.
Glasgow skyhub to open in October
Thu, 17 Jul, 2008
A £31 million skyhub extension is set to open at Glasgow Airport in October.
The new development will span two storeys and promises to feature a high-tech security screening system with ten new x-ray machines.
It is hoped that the system will allow travellers to be screened faster without compromising on safety.
In addition to this, flyers using the new facility will find a greater variety of shops and bars, including a Starbucks and Hugo Boss store.
Gordon Dewar, the airport's managing director, commented: "At a cost of £31 million, skyhub is a significant investment by BAA Glasgow in customer service and security."
He went on to say that it signals the management's commitment to putting passengers first at Glasgow Airport.
Those flying in or out of Glasgow Airport may wish to park their cars in the long-stay car park which has a transfer to the terminal every five to ten minutes and is enclosed by security fencing.
Glasgow Airport creates free pick-up/drop-off zone
Wed, 16 Jul, 2008
Glasgow Airport has created a free pick-up and drop-off zone allowing motorists to unload and collect passengers near the front of the terminal.
The new zone is opposite the main terminal and is on the ground floor of Short Stay Car Park 2, which is the multi-storey car park.
Motorists should follow the road signs for 'drop-off / pick-up'. They can access the new zone for up to ten minutes, free of charge.
Special provision has been made to allow blue badge holders to stay for up to 30 minutes in the designated spaces on the ground floor of Short Stay Car Park 2.
Tickets should be taken to a member of staff at the car park's customer service desk for validation.
Several help points are available within the car park for passengers who are in need of assistance.
Glasgow Airport is Scotland's principal long haul gateway and almost nine million passengers use it every year.
Car parking demand at Glasgow set to rise
Tue, 15 Jul, 2008
The demand for cheap airport car parking at Glasgow Airport looks set to grow, it has been claimed.
Scotland's busiest and biggest airport shows no sign of slowing down and, as such, the need for extra car parking spaces is likely to become a priority, according to Airparks.
Glasgow Airport handles around nine million passengers every year but if only a third of travellers require airport car parking, then nearly 2.5 million parking spaces will be required.
Airparks said it has space for 3,000 vehicles at Glasgow, and there is also round-the-clock CCTV and floodlit surroundings to ensure security.
The price for parking at Glasgow with Airparks starts at £26.95 for eight days, rising to £49.95 for 15 days.
Glasgow Airport is home to around 30 airlines flying to more than 80 destinations.
In April, budget airline easyJet opened its new route from the airport to the city of Faro in Portugal.
Glasgow to Faro service launched
Wed, 23 Apr, 2008
Low-cost airline easyJet yesterday opened its new route from Glasgow Airport to the Portuguese city of Faro.
The service will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with seats available from £23.99 one way.
However, as Faro is the gateway to the popular resorts of the Algarve, easyJet will increase the number of flights to three a week during the peak holiday season between June 26th and August 28th.
David Osborne, easyJet's UK general manager, said that as with all the airline's flights from Glasgow to warm weather holiday destinations, demand for the service had been strong.
He added: "This direct route to Faro has already proven a popular choice and will offer all Scots the opportunity to experience the glorious Algarve from their local airport."
A number of new routes have begun operating from Glasgow Airport this month, including Air SouthWest flights to Newquay and a flybe service to La Rochelle.
Glasgow drop-off zone opens
Thu, 20 Mar, 2008
Glasgow Airport has opened a new covered drop-off zone for passengers close to the entrance to the main terminal building.
Motorists collecting or dropping off passengers will be able to park in the facility, which is located on the ground floor of a multi-storey car park, for up to ten minutes free of charge.
Airport authorities spent £150,000 to create the new drop-off zone after it was decided private vehicles would no longer have access to the forecourt outside the terminal door following last year's terrorist attack.
Gordon Dewar, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said the views of passengers and expert advice about security had been taken into consideration when designing the new facility.
"We believe this solution addresses the concerns of passengers, while safeguarding the security of all passengers," he added.
Glasgow Airport's operator BAA recently announced it plans to spend £25 million on upgrading facilities in the terminal this year.
Scooters to help police regulate airport parking
Wed, 20 Feb, 2008
Police at Glasgow Airport are to drive electric scooters in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint, it has been reported.
The scooters can reach up to 62 mph, allowing officers to move safely and quickly through the increasing volume of traffic around the airport.
Inspector Colin Pearson, head of police at Glasgow Airport, explained that a two-week trial proved that the scooter, titled the Vectrix, was a successful purchase for the force.
He claimed it will allow officers to enforce airport parking legislation and regulate traffic.
"The Vectrix has proved itself as a real practical alternative to petrol powered machines, offering the same performance but without the harmful emissions," commented Alan Tait, assistant fleet manager of the transport and logistics department of Strathclyde Police.
Passenger numbers at the airport fell by 6.1 per cent in January, with the airport attributing the decrease to bad weather and economic uncertainty among holidaymakers.
BAA Glasgow announces major cash injection for 2008
Tue, 29 Jan, 2008
BAA has announced it is to invest an additional 50 per cent in its terminal at Glasgow Airport this year.
There is to be £25 million invested in terminal improvements during 2008, compared to £16 million last year.
According to the airport operator, the majority of the cash injection will fund the 4000 square metre skhyb extension due for completion in October, which is planned to offer "state of the art" security and a variety of amenities for passengers.
"This investment underlines BAA's commitment to Glasgow Airport and to the west of Scotland," commented managing director Gordon Dewar.
"It is an investment plan that puts passengers first and will deliver a higher standard of service," he added.
In order to make way for the new developments, Glasgow Airport is to close down its seldom-used secondary runway which was opened in the 1960s.
The runway currently handles less than one flight a day and just 0.3 per cent of the airport's overall traffic.
Around 8.8 million passengers travel through Glasgow Airport every year.
Flybe reveals Scottish plans
Wed, 28 Nov, 2007
Flybe has announced a major expansion of its routes from Scotland starting from next spring.
It is to commence two new services from Glasgow Airport on March 30th 2008 to Cardiff Airport and Paris, with further flights to Newquay and La Rochelle to follow.
The regional airline will also launch a new Edinburgh Airport to Cardiff Airport service on March 30th and flights to Rennes from the capital on May 3rd.
Mike Rutter, the airline's chief commercial officer, said the new routes were key to Flybe's "long-term commitment to offering sustainable, reliable and convenient travel to our passengers".
He added: "We will continue to bring exceptional service and low-cost travel to the regions whilst promoting our positive environmental policy."
The two new routes from Edinburgh Airport add to the recent rapid expansion of customer choice from the capital.
BAA Scotland recently unveiled the 100th destination reachable direct from Edinburgh Airport, when a Flyglobespan service to the Croatian city of Dubrovnik was confirmed.
Glasgow to upgrade drop-off facilities
Wed, 21 Nov, 2007
BAA has announced it is to spend £500,000 to upgrade the drop-off facilities at Glasgow Airport.
The move comes in the wake of a failed terrorist attack in June, which forced the airport's owners to put in place temporary arrangements which it admits were far from ideal for passengers.
Gordon Dewar, Glasgow Airport's managing director, said customers can expect to see a major improvement in the facilities in the coming months.
"We believe that the improvements we are making represent a balanced and proportionate response that combines tougher security measures with safe and secure access for passengers," said Mr Dewar.
The scheme involves widening the drop-off zone, installing new shelters and constructing a covered walkway to the terminal.
Plans to improve the arrangements for disabled passengers, who currently have to use the airport parking facilities for drop-offs and pick-ups, are also under consideration.
Meanwhile, passengers and staff from Glasgow Airport involved in foiling the attempted terrorist attack in the summer have been given a special award at the Scottish Passenger Agents' Association Annual Travel Awards 2007.
Glasgow Airport's numbers are up
Tue, 18 Sep, 2007
Glasgow Airport has seen an increase in passenger numbers, the first rise since the failed terrorist attack in June, it has been reported.
BAA Scotland figures show 870,000 passengers passed through the airlines gates in August, the Paisley Daily Express reports.
Managing director of the airport Gordon Dewar commented to the publication: "August was a good month for many of our long-haul carriers, with destinations like Dubai, New York and Philadelphia continuing to grow in popularity."
Mr Dewar noted that the airport had faced some challenging times this summer following the aftermath of the failed terrorist attempt at the beginning of June.
He added that the incident may have a long-term effect on passenger numbers.
With Glasgow Airport passenger numbers increasing, it may be beneficial to some passengers to pre-book their airport parking before the day they travel.
BAA had a reason to celebrate at the Business Traveller Awards earlier this week as London Heathrow scooped the Best Airport Hotel award.