Lt Manuel Hung
8th Apr 2003, 19:20
BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/2925533.stm)
Airport plans £200m expansion
The airport handled 7.9 million passengers last year
A £200m expansion plan designed to double capacity at Glasgow Airport, according to its new managing director.
It is also hoped that the project will increase the range of destinations and double the number of passengers travelling through the airport in the next 12 years.
Stephen Baxter said he was aiming to make Glasgow the most successful regional airport in Europe.
During 2002/2003 the airport handled 7.9 million passengers - an 8% increase on the previous financial year.
New shops
Mr Baxter wants those figures to rise to 8m next year, 10m by 2008 and 16m by 2015.
A capital investment of £200m will be made over the next 10 to 12 years to expand the airport.
Mr Baxter, who was speaking at the opening of a Jenners store at the airport on Monday, said more new shops were planned.
In investment terms you have to take a long-term outlook in this business
Stephen Baxter
Managing director
"We are going to spend £25m extending the terminal building, check-in facilities, baggage handling and the international departure lounge," he said.
The expansion plans also include a 2,000-space car park.
Mr Baxter said: "I want us to be the most successful regional airport in Europe.
"In investment terms you have to take a long-term outlook in this business.
"Experience shows that after the last Gulf War and September 11, there was a brief dip in air travel but then it went back up. People want to travel."
Glasgow Airport has launched five routes in the last month.
Airport capacity
Mr Baxter said passengers would be able to fly to destinations all over Europe and the US under the expansion plans.
He hopes to attract airlines like Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and US Airlines as part of the effort to double the airport's capacity over the next decade.
Owner BAA Scottish Airports has earmarked £60m for marketing for Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports.
Mr Baxter said that would help attract carriers and set up new routes.
Airport plans £200m expansion
The airport handled 7.9 million passengers last year
A £200m expansion plan designed to double capacity at Glasgow Airport, according to its new managing director.
It is also hoped that the project will increase the range of destinations and double the number of passengers travelling through the airport in the next 12 years.
Stephen Baxter said he was aiming to make Glasgow the most successful regional airport in Europe.
During 2002/2003 the airport handled 7.9 million passengers - an 8% increase on the previous financial year.
New shops
Mr Baxter wants those figures to rise to 8m next year, 10m by 2008 and 16m by 2015.
A capital investment of £200m will be made over the next 10 to 12 years to expand the airport.
Mr Baxter, who was speaking at the opening of a Jenners store at the airport on Monday, said more new shops were planned.
In investment terms you have to take a long-term outlook in this business
Stephen Baxter
Managing director
"We are going to spend £25m extending the terminal building, check-in facilities, baggage handling and the international departure lounge," he said.
The expansion plans also include a 2,000-space car park.
Mr Baxter said: "I want us to be the most successful regional airport in Europe.
"In investment terms you have to take a long-term outlook in this business.
"Experience shows that after the last Gulf War and September 11, there was a brief dip in air travel but then it went back up. People want to travel."
Glasgow Airport has launched five routes in the last month.
Airport capacity
Mr Baxter said passengers would be able to fly to destinations all over Europe and the US under the expansion plans.
He hopes to attract airlines like Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and US Airlines as part of the effort to double the airport's capacity over the next decade.
Owner BAA Scottish Airports has earmarked £60m for marketing for Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports.
Mr Baxter said that would help attract carriers and set up new routes.