Glasgow | Glasgow Metro Area Airports | News & Developments

[Soulsonic]

I'm wondering what the varied opinion on Glasgow's airports are. Prestwick seems to be going from strength to strength ( apart from the all too local re-branding imho) but Abbotsinch seems to be held back by the politics of favouring Glasgow over Edinburgh or vice versa as the country's premier gateway. Does anyone think that Abbotsinch should be bought from BAA and developed on its own? Or is the general consensus that if that happened then BAA would plough serious investment into Turnhouse and consign Glasgow to playing second fiddle?

[resistme]

I do think Glasgow is beginning to lag behind Edinburgh in investment, but that is problably a political favouritism rather than internal BAA politics.

However Glasgow Abbotsinch's pricing needs to better reflect the compititon it is facing with Glasgow Prestwick as the combined increase in passenger numbers in the west of scotland beats Edinburgh.

The growth is mainly due to Ryanair's domination of new low-cost routes, whereas Glasgow doesn't seem to be attracting many new flights. The expansion of T2 into a proper terminal rather than just stupid check in desk

[gweilo]

BAA unveils proposals up to 2030 for Glasgow Airport:

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5041515.html

[resistme]

Glasgow Airport unveils vision for the future25 July 2005

Airport operator launches extensive public consultation

Up to 24 million passengers a year by 2030
As many as 28,000 new jobs across Scotland
More international scheduled services, including long haul
New second international pier planned to meet rising demand for overseas travel
Provision for second runway
Additional terminal possible, if forecasts exceed expectations
All developments underpinned by environmental strategies
A world class gateway, linking Glasgow to destinations across the globe, providing thousands of new jobs and generating hundreds of millions of pounds for the Scottish economy.

That was the vision for Glasgow Airport outlined today by airport operator BAA Scotland as Scotland’s busiest international airport published its blueprint for the future.

The Glasgow Airport Outline Master Plan was formally launched today by BAA Scotland’s managing director Donal Dowds and Glasgow Airport managing director Stephen Baxter.

Donal Dowds said: “Today’s outline master plan is a bold, imaginative document. It sets out how Scotland’s busiest airport will develop over the next quarter century, the impact it will have on the economic well being of Scotland, and the benefits it will bring in terms of job creation and tourism.”

The report looks in detail at how Glasgow Airport will develop over the next ten years and then in more general terms at the period up to 2030.

Passenger numbers at Glasgow Airport have increased by more than 60% in the past decade, rising from 5.4 million in 1995 to almost 8.7 million today. The outline master plan forecasts that by 2015, the airport could handle between 12 and 15 million passengers, with around 125,000 annual landings and take-offs.

Beyond 2015, to 2030, Glasgow Airport could be handling up to 24 million passengers, with more than half travelling direct to and from international destinations.

Increasing volumes of traffic will require considerable investment in airfield facilities. To meet forecast demand, the construction of rapid access and exit taxiways and an additional section of parallel taxiway will be required in the period to 2015. More aircraft stands will be required to cater for larger sized aircraft, particularly as the airport continues to attract new international destinations.

BAA Glasgow has made provision for a second runway, should it be required. The outline master plan includes two sets of indicative plans for the period between 2015 and 2030 – one showing the airport with a single runway, the other showing how the airport could accommodate twin parallel runways. Ultimately the market, and passenger demand, will determine whether there is a need for a second runway.

Airport development up to 2015 can be accommodated on land currently owned by BAA. Beyond 2015, additional land to the east of Abbotsinch Road will be required.

In order to meet passenger growth, the terminal will be significantly extended and reconfigured to provide more check-in desks, baggage systems and departure lounges.

The first stage of this development programme, a £6 million expansion of the international wing of the terminal is currently underway, and is set for completion in autumn 2005. Within the next ten years, a second international pier and ten new aircraft stands will also be built to the west of the existing international pier to cater for the forecast growth in international travel.

Beyond 2015, the existing east pier will be replaced by a modern and significantly longer pier.

Should passenger numbers grow at a higher rate than forecast, and Glasgow were to develop as a twin parallel runway by 2030, it is possible an additional terminal would be built.

Good surface access will be critical to Glasgow Airport’s ability to grow. The outline master plan calls for improvements to the M8 between junctions 26 and 29 to allow current and future traffic volumes to access the motorway in a safe manner.

BAA Scotland is committed to increasing the numbers of passengers who access its airports by public transport and looks forward to more choice and a properly integrated surface access system. Proposals by Strathclyde Passenger Transport for a rail link between Glasgow Airport and Glasgow Central Station are well advanced. The rail link could be operational by the end of 2008.

Clearly, future growth of the airport will impact on local communities and the environment. The outline master plan sets out a series of strategies for managing environmental impacts. The airport will grow in a sustainable and responsible manner. Any development will take place incrementally to ensure, as far as possible, that additional capacity closely matches passenger demand.

A 2002 study by the Fraser of Allander Institute found that Glasgow Airport contributes more than £700 million a year to the economy and supports 15,700 jobs across Scotland, with more than 5,000 people directly employed at the airport. As the airport expands, the number of people directly employed at Glasgow Airport is forecast to rise to 8,200 in 2015 and to 12,000 by 2030, an increase of some 7,000 jobs.

If the number of indirect employment opportunities increases in line with recent trends, a further 21,000 jobs could be created.

The outline master plan also suggests Glasgow Airport will become an increasingly important freight hub. With international air services expected to grow significantly, Glasgow’s cargo business is forecast to grow from 8,700 tonnes today to 13,000 tonnes by 2015 and almost 20,000 tonnes by 2030.

Stephen Baxter, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “Today, as we glimpse into the future, we see an airport serving Scotland’s largest city, generating hundreds of millions of pounds for the Scottish economy every year and creating thousands of new jobs. A 21st century gateway for the west of Scotland, serving as many as 24 million passengers, many of them flying direct from Glasgow to destinations across the globe, with millions more using Glasgow as their gateway into Scotland. This is our vision for the Glasgow Airport of tomorrow. Its impact, on employment, travel, tourism and the economy, will be considerable.”

Following today’s launch, a three month consultation period will get underway, during which Glasgow Airport will invite local residents, politicians and business leaders to have their say on the future development of the airport. A series of public meetings will also be held across the region. Following the consultation a final version of the master plan will be published at the end of 2005.

Stephen Baxter added: “The airport brings many benefits to the local community, not least in terms of jobs and investment. However, we recognise there are disadvantages associated with living close to the airport. We will work with local communities to address these issues. We recognise that we can only grow with the support and trust of the communities we serve.”

Copies of the Master Plan can be downloaded here – or by writing to Airport Master Plan Consultation, BAA Glasgow, St. Andrew’s Drive, Glasgow Airport, Paisley, PA3 2SW. The consultation closes on 28 October 2005.

Download BAA's Masterplan
http://www.baa.co.uk/assets/B2CPorta...Glasgowv1a.pdf

Diagrams

Current 2005
http://www.baa.co.uk/assets/B2CPorta.../glasgow_1.pdf

2015 with second international pier
http://www.baa.co.uk/assets/B2CPorta.../glasgow_4.pdf

2030 with above and rebuild and extended east pier
http://www.baa.co.uk/assets/B2CPorta.../glasgow_5.pdf

Twin Runway/Terminal option http://www.baa.co.uk/assets/B2CPorta.../glasgow_6.pdf

[Boards]

Obviously I love to see plans to increase the airport etc but the airport is a shadow and always will be of what a combined Glasgow/Edinburgh airport could be - shame.

[resistme]

I know, a Central Scotland Airport as say Lanark or Cumbernauld or Falkirk near the M8 would have always been the best option, for a Scottish hub, but as it is we will always have to have Glasgow International, Glasgow Prestwick and Edinburgh. The Government have basically ruled out a fourth central scotland airport in their White Paper.

[Soulsonic]

Agreed that a central Scotland airport might have been the way forward, but Abbotsinch was used because the runway was more or less in place due to the RAF station being in existence much the same as Turnhouse was there for Edinburgh. Leaving aside the politics involved in Crossrail which would link Glasgow Airport to the whole of Britain nevermind Scotland, Glasgow Airport already benefits from excellent road links something that Edinburgh Airport doesn't have. If government is serious about an integrated transport strategy for transport's sake, (which I doubt given past events such as privatisation and non-committals to schemes such as Crossrail), then the building of the airport's rail link will be a massive driver in the expansion plans.

Interesting to see from the plans that BAA would only extend the terminal by lengthening a pier rather than building a second terminal to the west of the existing one.

[The Boy David]

The central Scotland hub was a good idea, but it was just not feasible. The amount of new transport infrastructure that would have been required to deal with an airport that would handle 25 million+ passengers a year would have been huge, not to mention the cost of building from scratch an airport the size of London Stansted.

Scotland is better off having 2 big airports in its main cities rather than one sooper-dooper airport IMO. It gives both cities a sense of identity.

But I would like to see Glasgow extended and improved before Edinburgh.

I feel that Glasgow is where the most important flights already are (ie long haul and transatlantic), and where the most potential lies. And given the amount of money that has recently been plowed into Edinburgh, it would be criminal to ignore Glasgow anymore, especially now that Glasgow is becoming more and more popular with tourists than it has ever been, and that its CBD is expanding at a reasonable rate.

The growth of Glasgow over the next 20 years warrants an upgrade, surely?

Interesting to see from the plans that BAA would only extend the terminal by lengthening a pier rather than building a second terminal to the west of the existing one.

Agreed - im not sure why they have clearly overlooked the complete joke that is "T2" at the moment....

[Soulsonic]

T2 Should be renamed "Check-In 2" David. The opportunities for expansion @ Glasgow are not as limited as one might think. Ok it is bounded by the White Cart to the east and the M8 to the west, but these physical barriers can be overcome. For instance the runway at Charles de Gaulle runs over the top of an autoroute. This could be done at Glasgow. Barnsford Road provides ideal access for a second terminal at present. Expansion at Abbotsinch will ultimately depend on whether the airport is still viewed as a major economic driver for the west of the country. If the plans will provide more jobs for people in Greater Glasgow and the west of Scotland in real terms than similar expansion at Turnhouse, then Abbotsinch will get the nod when it comes to getting a second runway. I'm not so sure that there is the demand that the government is predicting to merit extending both airports. I seem to recall when Alistair Darling strongly hinted that Edinburgh would get Scotland's only second runway about 18 months ago, the figure mooted for passenger figures for Scotland in 2025/30 was 35 to 40 million. So for arguments sake say 20 million passengers for each airport in 25 years time. I can't see it myself. Manchester's Ringway is probably more than twice the size of Glasgow just now and it handles about 18 million passengers a year. Do we think that BAA's plans as they stand will accomodate 24 million passengers?

As for Prestwick, I say well done to the management there. Apart from the purple parochial re-branding, flying to and from this airport is a joy. There is absolutely no hassle. Granted it's tiny but I wouldn't be averse to seeing some expansion at GPI because the airport deserves to prosper. When I was last in the terminal back in late April it was getting a facelift internally. Does anyone know if the 60s facade is due for some structural rather than cosmetic improvements?

[resistme]

Originally Posted by Soulsonic

T2 Should be renamed "Check-In 2" David. The opportunities for expansion @ Glasgow are not as limited as one might think. Ok it is bounded by the White Cart to the east and the M8 to the west, but these physical barriers can be overcome. For instance the runway at Charles de Gaulle runs over the top of an autoroute. This could be done at Glasgow. Barnsford Road provides ideal access for a second terminal at present. Expansion at Abbotsinch will ultimately depend on whether the airport is still viewed as a major economic driver for the west of the country. If the plans will provide more jobs for people in Greater Glasgow and the west of Scotland in real terms than similar expansion at Turnhouse, then Abbotsinch will get the nod when it comes to getting a second runway. I'm not so sure that there is the demand that the government is predicting to merit extending both airports. I seem to recall when Alistair Darling strongly hinted that Edinburgh would get Scotland's only second runway about 18 months ago, the figure mooted for passenger figures for Scotland in 2025/30 was 35 to 40 million. So for arguments sake say 20 million passengers for each airport in 25 years time. I can't see it myself. Manchester's Ringway is probably more than twice the size of Glasgow just now and it handles about 18 million passengers a year. Do we think that BAA's plans as they stand will accomodate 24 million passengers

T2 is a joke - gives a false impression that it actually a terminal! Which it clearly isn't.

Trans-continental expansion it the the potential biggest market. Apart from North America (USA and Canada) and Emirates to Dubai from Glasgow, there's so much more potential to Asia and Australasia. Also we might eventually get faster airlines which will make these destinations more attractive.

As for Prestwick, I say well done to the management there. Apart from the purple parochial re-branding, flying to and from this airport is a joy. There is absolutely no hassle. Granted it's tiny but I wouldn't be averse to seeing some expansion at GPI because the airport deserves to prosper. When I was last in the terminal back in late April it was getting a facelift internally. Does anyone know if the 60s facade is due for some structural rather than cosmetic improvements?

As more and more destinations come to Prestwick, they need to look as having proper separate gate waiting areas. When there is two or more departures at roughly the same time the queues seem to merge in a panic at the single Gate area.

Also it would be nice if other airlines (apart from Ryanair) start services to the airport. Checking in and arrivals are SO much faster than bigger airports!

[Leeds No.1]

Personally, I would like to see alot more investment and expansion in Glasgow Airport. As you say, another runway could go over a road- it goes across the A568 dual carriageway @ Leeds. I have always thought of Glasgow as one of the top UK cities and the main Scottish hub. Ive also thought Glasgow is and should be the largest airport and much bigger than Edinburgh. Glasgow should get a second terminal, and hopefully attract more flights. Do alot of people travel to Edinburgh or even Aberdeen or other airports to get flights from Glasgow or can flights usually be found from Glasgow Intl. or Glasgow Prestwick?

[M_Riaz]

Some Maps Of the proposed Glasgow Airport Masterplan.

[resistme]

Originally Posted by Leeds No.1

Personally, I would like to see alot more investment and expansion in Glasgow Airport. As you say, another runway could go over a road- it goes across the A568 dual carriageway @ Leeds. I have always thought of Glasgow as one of the top UK cities and the main Scottish hub. Ive also thought Glasgow is and should be the largest airport and much bigger than Edinburgh. Glasgow should get a second terminal, and hopefully attract more flights. Do alot of people travel to Edinburgh or even Aberdeen or other airports to get flights from Glasgow or can flights usually be found from Glasgow Intl. or Glasgow Prestwick?

Edinburgh has expanded in Europe due to the Parliament; however once Glasgow gets the train link (currently a spur) but I hope eventually they'll make it a throu station linking to the Argyle and Queen Street lines, it has direct trains, not just to Glasgow Central, but Queen St, Edinburgh and beyond, like Manchester and Stansted have.

And yes, lots of people travel from other parts of the country to Glasgow International and Prestwick airports; Prestwick's 50% off Scottish trail destinatations makes a big contribution to it's expansion on new routes.

[resistme]

GLASGOW Airport recorded the busiest day in its 39-year history last month as passenger numbers topped the one million mark
Figures released today by its operator BAA Scotland show the airport handled a record 1,055,935 passengers in July, the highest monthly figure ever recorded by a Scottish airport.
Passenger numbers grew by almost 5% last month as thousands of holidaymakers took to the skies and the city welcomed visitors from the US, Europe and beyond.
The start of the Glasgow Fair was the airport's busiest day ever, with 41,616 passengers on Fair Friday.
In the 12 months to July, the airport handled 8.7million passengers. International passengers were up 9%, with Prague the fastest-growing destination.
Barcelona, Dublin and Dubai also performed well, while traditional sun spots like Tenerife and Las Palmas continued to be popular.
On the domestic front, Southampton, Belfast International and Stansted were the best performing routes.
In July 2004, Glasgow Airport became the first airport in Scotland to handle more than one million passengers in a single month.
Glasgow Airport managing director Stephen Baxter said: "July was an exceptionally busy month, even by Glasgow Airport's standards.
"The traditional Glasgow Fair fortnight is still a hugely popular time to take a break, and last month's Fair Friday attracted a record number of holidaymakers.
"Our own tourism industry also enjoyed a boost last month as the city played host to major events such as the Scottish Open and the Special Olympics and thousands of visitors, many of them from the US and Europe, arrived in Glasgow."
Last month airport bosses unveiled an ambitious £200million masterplan to become Scotland's national hub – capable of handling 24million passengers a year. GLASGOW Airport recorded the busiest day in its 39-year history last month as passenger numbers topped the one million mark
Figures released today by its operator BAA Scotland show the airport handled a record 1,055,935 passengers in July, the highest monthly figure ever recorded by a Scottish airport.
Passenger numbers grew by almost 5% last month as thousands of holidaymakers took to the skies and the city welcomed visitors from the US, Europe and beyond.
The start of the Glasgow Fair was the airport's busiest day ever, with 41,616 passengers on Fair Friday.
In the 12 months to July, the airport handled 8.7million passengers. International passengers were up 9%, with Prague the fastest-growing destination.
Barcelona, Dublin and Dubai also performed well, while traditional sun spots like Tenerife and Las Palmas continued to be popular.
On the domestic front, Southampton, Belfast International and Stansted were the best performing routes.
In July 2004, Glasgow Airport became the first airport in Scotland to handle more than one million passengers in a single month.
Glasgow Airport managing director Stephen Baxter said: "July was an exceptionally busy month, even by Glasgow Airport's standards.
"The traditional Glasgow Fair fortnight is still a hugely popular time to take a break, and last month's Fair Friday attracted a record number of holidaymakers.
"Our own tourism industry also enjoyed a boost last month as the city played host to major events such as the Scottish Open and the Special Olympics and thousands of visitors, many of them from the US and Europe, arrived in Glasgow."
Last month airport bosses unveiled an ambitious £200million masterplan to become Scotland's national hub – capable of handling 24million passengers a year. GLASGOW Airport recorded the busiest day in its 39-year history last month as passenger numbers topped the one million mark
Figures released today by its operator BAA Scotland show the airport handled a record 1,055,935 passengers in July, the highest monthly figure ever recorded by a Scottish airport.
Passenger numbers grew by almost 5% last month as thousands of holidaymakers took to the skies and the city welcomed visitors from the US, Europe and beyond.
The start of the Glasgow Fair was the airport's busiest day ever, with 41,616 passengers on Fair Friday.
In the 12 months to July, the airport handled 8.7million passengers. International passengers were up 9%, with Prague the fastest-growing destination.
Barcelona, Dublin and Dubai also performed well, while traditional sun spots like Tenerife and Las Palmas continued to be popular.
On the domestic front, Southampton, Belfast International and Stansted were the best performing routes.
In July 2004, Glasgow Airport became the first airport in Scotland to handle more than one million passengers in a single month.
Glasgow Airport managing director Stephen Baxter said: "July was an exceptionally busy month, even by Glasgow Airport's standards.
"The traditional Glasgow Fair fortnight is still a hugely popular time to take a break, and last month's Fair Friday attracted a record number of holidaymakers.
"Our own tourism industry also enjoyed a boost last month as the city played host to major events such as the Scottish Open and the Special Olympics and thousands of visitors, many of them from the US and Europe, arrived in Glasgow."
Last month airport bosses unveiled an ambitious £200million masterplan to become Scotland's national hub – capable of handling 24million passengers a year. GLASGOW Airport recorded the busiest day in its 39-year history last month as passenger numbers topped the one million mark
Figures released today by its operator BAA Scotland show the airport handled a record 1,055,935 passengers in July, the highest monthly figure ever recorded by a Scottish airport.
Passenger numbers grew by almost 5% last month as thousands of holidaymakers took to the skies and the city welcomed visitors from the US, Europe and beyond.
The start of the Glasgow Fair was the airport's busiest day ever, with 41,616 passengers on Fair Friday.
In the 12 months to July, the airport handled 8.7million passengers. International passengers were up 9%, with Prague the fastest-growing destination.
Barcelona, Dublin and Dubai also performed well, while traditional sun spots like Tenerife and Las Palmas continued to be popular.
On the domestic front, Southampton, Belfast International and Stansted were the best performing routes.
In July 2004, Glasgow Airport became the first airport in Scotland to handle more than one million passengers in a single month.
Glasgow Airport managing director Stephen Baxter said: "July was an exceptionally busy month, even by Glasgow Airport's standards.
"The traditional Glasgow Fair fortnight is still a hugely popular time to take a break, and last month's Fair Friday attracted a record number of holidaymakers.
"Our own tourism industry also enjoyed a boost last month as the city played host to major events such as the Scottish Open and the Special Olympics and thousands of visitors, many of them from the US and Europe, arrived in Glasgow."
Last month airport bosses unveiled an ambitious £200million masterplan to become Scotland's national hub – capable of handling 24million passengers a year.

Good news

[gweilo]

I was watching the new Channel 4 import Lost on the telly last night and the bit were the guy gets sucked into the crashed airliner's engine and it promptly exploded reminded me about the not much publicized fact that there is a colony of whooping swans nesting in the White Cart river where it runs along the side of the airport. Major hazard for take off and landings. Get one of those in your engine and your flight's had it. Seem to recall that rehousing these birds was an issue if Glasgow Airport's expansion went ahead. Can you imagine the environmentalists field day with that one?!

[The Boy David]

Yeah great news that.


And Gweilo: Lost - yay or nay?

I have to say as a bit of a Sci-fi buff this has the makings of something very interesting, no?

[resistme]

Errrm not another envirnmental issue for Glasgow purrrrrlease

[M_Riaz]

Some images for the Glasgow Airport Masterplan, Also a report on the GA MP on The Glasgow Architechts Web site.

http://www.glasgowarchitecture.co.uk...ow_airport.htm

[The Boy David]

Great Images, Mriaz - they've brightened up my day.

It would be sheer madness for Glasgow not to get the same amount of treatment Edinburgh has been given - this should do the trick nicely.

Only if the Scottish Parliment feels the same way, of course...

[M_Riaz]

I think we will get it in the end david ..its would be crazy for the scottish executive not to give it the go ahead as Glasgow is the central hub of the comercial sector for the whole of Scotland..also with record numbers going through the gates @ GA should also boost the chances.