News: Glasgow Airport announces expansion of facilities
Flights > News > # 323 (29/03/2005)
Glasgow Airport is "building for the future", with a series of new developments designed to cope with the expected influx of thousands of extra passengers this Summer.
With Summer 2005 expected to break all previous records, Glasgow Airport has launched a major £13 million capital investment programme, aimed at creating additional capacity – both in the terminal and on the airfield – and providing new retail and leisure space for passengers.
The centrepiece is a new International Arrivals infill project - the first stage of a long term £50 million re-development of the main terminal building that will ultimately see a second international pier built to the west of the existing international wing.
The infill project will plug a gap site next to the international arrivals hall, creating a two storey extension to the international wing of the main terminal, with the possibility of a third floor being added at a later stage.
On the ground floor, the international arrivals hall will be substantially extended, with a fourth baggage reclaim belt providing additional capacity. On the upper floor, the infill project will provide additional retail space and seating areas, effectively increasing the size of the International Departure Lounge (IDL) by 50%.
The expansion reflects the major growth in international traffic at Glasgow Airport. Over the past twelve months, the number of international passengers has increased by 9% and with the arrival of new international carriers, such as SN Brussels, and the success of existing European, transatlantic and long haul carriers, the growth rate is expected to continue. In the past month, Emirates, Czech Airlines and Continental have all announced expansion plans.
In the past ten years, passenger numbers at Glasgow Airport have risen by almost 60% to 8.6 million. Forecasts suggest that by 2014, Glasgow Airport will handle more than 12 million passengers.
Work on the new infill project has already begun, with the first phase – the ground floor – due for completion in time for the summer. Architects are currently drafting plans for the new look IDL which should be complete by the end of the year.
The infill project is just one of a series of ongoing investments at Glasgow Airport.
Work has just been completed on the first phase of a new baggage system for the main terminal that will increase processing times from 8 bags a minute to 20 bags a minute. Work on the second phase is scheduled for 2006/07.
Meanwhile, the final stage of the airport's T2 project is also underway. The development will link T2 - home to no frills carriers easyJet, My Travel and Thomas Cook - to the main terminal and provide retail space and outdoor seating areas. Work is expected to be complete by the end of May.
Two new aircraft stands have also just been completed, increasing the number of available stands this Summer to 38. Work on providing additional stands in time for Summer 2006 has already begun.
Stephen Baxter, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, said the investment signalled the start of the long term redevelopment of Glasgow Airport.
"The International Arrivals infill project is the first stage in a ten year redevelopment of the terminal building that will ultimately see a second international pier built. With passenger numbers expected to reach 12 million within the next ten years, and international traffic expanding rapidly, these developments will provide the additional capacity we need to grow, and create a better experience for our passengers.
"As we continue to expand, and attract new airlines, we are building for the future, creating a world class international gateway for the west of Scotland.
"This is a substantial investment from BAA Glasgow which underlines our determination to make Glasgow the most successful regional airport in Europe."
In July 2004, Glasgow Airport became the first airport in Scotland to handle more than one million passengers in a single month. The airport is on course to break the 9 million passenger mark later this year.
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