There are some who think we have reached saturation point in the market now. I believe this to be totally untrue.
Look at a country like New Zealand with a population* (4.5 million) far less than Scotland (5.3 million) - *figures based on 2014 data
New Zealand can support several Intercontinental operators - far more than Scotland - and is a growing market where you will find as well as their own Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Thai, Air China, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Hawaiian, Korean, LAN Airlines, Malaysian, Philippine, Virgin Australia and of course Emirates. Services between New Zealand and Australia could be compared with Scotland and Europe.
Another key factor will be the abolition of Air Passenger Duty in Scotland. This has the attract potential to encourage long haul airlines to make Scottish Airport an en-route stop to other worldwide destinations.
Let’s look at what might happen. Emirates is a candidate for expansion westward via GLA. They have already done it in Europe. Don’t be surprised if Cathay Pacific came in. As for US based carriers they should stop crying unfair subsidies, examine their own quality of service and look at the potential to use Scotland as a touch down to beyond Europe.
“If you build it he will come” is the prophetic quote from Field of Dreams. Build these routes and the passengers and the economic growth that they bring will land on our shores. The future is growth.