The Glasgow Airport has officially opened the newly extended east pier with the official visit of Derek Mackay, Minister for Transport and the Islands. The project has a total investment of over £3.3 million and has completed early summer, it has introduced a number of improvements in the terminal that will respond to the increased number of routes (22 new respect last) year and airport services, accommodating 750,000 passengers each year.
The project got underway in November 2014 and involved the construction of a two storey, 1,400 square metre extension to one of the airport’s three piers. As well as creating new boarding areas for passengers, it also brings the total number of Code E stands, which enable the airport to accommodate larger aircraft for long haul services, to six.
With the east pier now complete, Glasgow Airport has invested more than £25 million in enhancing its facilities during 2014 and 2015. This includes a major refurbishment of the international arrivals area, modernisations to the main check-in hall, the landscaping of a new public space at the front of the terminal, and general improvements to the airport’s road network.
Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glaslgow airport commented: ““2015 has been a fantastic year with the airport continuing to go from strength to strength. Not only have we launched a host of exciting new routes and services, we have also seen unprecedented growth in our passenger numbers and have also been classified as one of Europe’s fastest growing airports for the first six months of 2015”.
The inauguration was attended by the Minister for Transport and the Islands, Derek Mackay, who met with members of the airport of Glasgow, including the Managing Director, Amanda McMillan and Operations Director, Mark Johnston. “Glasgow Airport has attracted a number of new long haul services and this development will help build on that success. Not only will it be able to accommodate bigger aircraft, but it will also provide improved facilities for departing passengers. The Airport has secured 22 new routes over the last year, and I have no doubt the new extension help them win more new services in the future”, said the Minister.
In August, Glasgow Airport was confirmed as one of Europe’s fastest growing airports for the first half of 2015 by trade body ACI Europe. Over the past year the airport has secured 22 new routes and services, including a new daily service to Halifax, Nova Scotia with Canadian airline WestJet, a direct service to Las Vegas, and new connections to a range of European cities including Prague, Dubrovnik, Budapest and Bordeaux.
Over the coming months, more services will begin to Lublin, Vilnius, Cancun, Barbados and Cuba, as well as Milan.
