In this section of our Glasgow Airport Car Parking site, we aim to bring you interesting articles about Glasgow Airport.

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Promotion campaign at Glasgow Airport                         March 3 2010

 

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Glasgow Airport Starts Twittering                                                  February 23 2010

The airport has set a target of reaching 3500 followers through Twitter by the end of the year.

Derek Provan, customer services director at Glasgow Airport, said: "Twitter offers a new way of engaging quickly with our passengers. We used it extensively during the recent spell of bad weather, and found it was a fast, effective way to communicate with our passengers. By using Twitter, and other similar sites, we aim to engage more openly with our passengers and ultimately deliver a better service.”

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Glasgow Airport not decided on body scanners                                      January 21 2010

Glasgow Airport is not introducing body scanners. A spokesperson said they are awaiting further guidance before a decision is made.

He said: "We are still waiting on guidance as to whether they will be installed here or not.

"This guidance would come from the Department for Transport, and they will make the final decision."

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Have a meal before you fly from Glasgow Airport                          January 21 2010

Did you know there are Harry Ramsden’s eateries at Euston station and Glasgow Airport?

What better places to enjoy a lovely British plate of fish and chips.

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Laser Louts target Glasgow Airport                                             January 13 2010

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Flights from Glasgow Airport to Lahore to continue                   January 6 2010

It comes after senior officials at Pakistan International Airlines held talks with Glasgow Airport's managers twice on Wednesday.

City council officials and Pakistan's consul-general in Scotland were also involved.

It was agreed there would be improved efforts to market the twice-weekly flights between Glasgow and Lahore.

The plan is hoped to give the airline a higher profile in Scotland.

It will focus on an effort by leaders of the Pakistani community in Scotland to increase use of the route, or face a renewed threat of its loss.

It is understood that aircraft between Glasgow Airport  and Lahore have been operating at 64% of their capacity, whereas they need to fill about 74% of seats if they are to break-even.

 

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Glasgow Airport to invest in better facilities                                 December 30 2009

BAA, the owners of Glasgow Airport are to invest £25 million in improvements to Glasgow Airport, including renovation to the Airport Lounge.

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Decision on BAA sale of Glasgow Airport                                     December 21 2009

Airport operator BAA will find out today whether it will be forced to sell Stansted and one of its Scottish aiports, including Glasgow Airport.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal will rule whether the Competition Commission  was right to demand that BAA's monopoly in Scotland and England be broken up. 

Following a hearing in October this year, the tribunal will hand down its judgement in London today.

BAA appealed a ruling by the commission in March that it should sell Gatwick, Stansted and either Glasgow or Edinburgh airport. Spanish- owned BAA had already decided to sell Gatwick to Global Infrastructure Partners, which owns London City airport.

The Competition Commission ruled that BAA's monopoly was leading to poor service for customers. However, BAA has argued that the commission has not taken into account the affect the recession would have on the sale of the airports.

It is thought if BAA is forced to make the sale, it will choose to sell Glasgow airport rather than Edinburgh.

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Scottish Airline goes bust                                                    December 12 2009

Passengers flying out of Glasgow Airport  have been hard hit by the bankruptcy of Globespan.

The travelling public was served up a heady cocktail of Christmas chaos tonight when a Scottish airline went into administration and baggage handlers warned of strikes at Heathrow.

The demise of Flyglobespan, leaving 4,000 passengers stranded abroad, came as British Airways failed to convince cabin staff they should call off a planned strike after discussions with union leaders.

Around 1,300 people were due to fly tomorrow on Flyglobespan. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the accounting firm brought in to take control of the failed airline, told passengers to stay at home and warned that the Civil Aviation Authority was only responsible for financially bailing out 1,000 people who have booked package holidays.

Those who dealt directly with the airline through its website or call centre would not be protected, said PwC, which stepped in after attempts to find a new investor for the parent group Globespan finally collapsed this afternoon.

Budget rivals Ryanair and easyJet were both offering "rescue" fares between Glasgow Prestwick and Flyglobespan destinations such as Tenerife, Alicante and Malaga. The airline employs 800 staff and is reported to have carried 1.5 million passengers last year.

Passenger Ralph Gerrard flew to Lanzarote on a Flyglobespan flight on Sunday and was due to return on 27 December. "I have no idea what happens now because we've been trying to phone Globespan representatives and all their phones have been disconnected on the island, so there's no one to speak to at the moment," he told the BBC last night. "We're going to have to look at another airline."

Asked if it would affect his holiday, he replied: "Not at all because it's nice and sunny here and we are enjoying ourselves; we will just get on with it as usual."

Transport minister Paul Clark said efforts were being made to try to get stranded passengers home for Christmas. "We are working with the industry and the Civil Aviation Authority to minimise the regrettable disruption," he said.

There was more trouble for travellers when airport baggage handlers and check-in staff at Heathrow and Aberdeen said they would hold a series of 48-hour strikes from 22 December in a row over pay with SAS Ground Services.

 

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Scotland's biggest airline, Edinburgh-based Flyglobespan, has been placed in administration with all scheduled flights cancelled.

Administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers said Globespan was in contact with about 5,000 passengers booked with or travelling with the airline.

Last year the airline, which employs about 800 staff, carried more than 1.5m passengers and operated 12,000 flights.

The majority of the company's staff have been made redundant.

The move followed attempts to conclude a financing deal for the airline with Jersey-based Halcyon Investments which broke down earlier on Wednesday.

In a statement tonight, the administrators said the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) would be responsible for the repatriation of about 1,100 people who are on holidays booked as part of a Globespan package holiday.

However, a further 3,400 people are overseas and are not protected, who booked directly through flyglobespan.com.

Customers who booked Flyglobespan flights directly via the Flyglobespan website or the call centre would not get a refund on the cost of their flight but the Department of Transport said they may qualify for a reduced rate repatriation fare.

Transport minister Paul Clark said: "I spoke earlier this evening with a representative of the European Low Fares Airlines Association, who confirmed that several of their members will provide special fares.

"I urge all affected passengers to identify themselves as former Flyglobespan customers to alternative carriers in order to ensure they benefit from these special repatriation fares."

There are also 27,000 people who have future flights booked through the Atol insurance scheme, and around 90,000 people who have forward bookings but have no Atol protection.

They may be protected under their own personal travel insurance or through their credit card transaction.

Bruce Cartwright of PricewaterhouseCoopers said: "Unfortunately I am obliged to confirm that, the Group will not longer be able to operate flights.

It is understood the company also has a contract with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to transport troops to and from destinations such as the Falklands.

An MoD spokeswoman said: "We are aware that Flyglobespan has gone into administration and we are currently assessing the wider impact on MoD business."

A spokesman for Glasgow Airport said: "We are doing everything in our power to help passengers rearrange their travel plans, wherever possible, and to secure additional capacity from other airlines serving Glasgow.

The vast majority of destinations served by Flyglobespan are already served by other carriers, a number of whom have already stepped in to offer support to Flyglobespan's customers."

Flyglobespan was the sixth biggest operator out of Edinburgh airport.

Operating profit

Managing director, Gordon Dewar said: "This is a sad day for the Scottish aviation industry.

"However, our immediate attention must turn to the thousands of passengers who were due to fly with the airline over the coming months.

"We are already holding urgent discussions with a number of other airlines and are hopeful of replacing much of the capacity that has been lost from Flyglobespan going into administration."

A Scottish government spokesman said: "This is extremely disappointing news. The Scottish government is contacting the company as a matter of urgency to seek clarification on the situation.

"Customers booked with Globespan either returning from holidays or about to travel can seek further advice through the Civil Aviation Authority's website.

"We recognise that this will be an anxious time for employees and their families, particularly at this time of year."

The Secretary of State for Scotland Jim Murphy said: "The news that Flyglobespan has gone into administration is a real blow for Scotland and first and foremost for the hundreds of employees who now face redundancy a week before Christmas.

"Our other immediate priority must be to help the thousands of people who booked and flew with the airline and are now effectively stranded abroad.

"My officials and I have been in touch with the Department for Transport as this issue unfolded and will continue to work with them to see what can be done to help those caught in the middle of this unfortunate situation."

Earlier this year, Flyglobespan announced it had made an operating profit of £1.2m following a loss of £19m the previous year.

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BAA confirm terminal closure at Glasgow Airport                              November 16 2009

Glasgow Airport today confirmed that T2, its secondary check in facility, will close for a short period this winter, as the airport continues to reduce its costs to airlines, and invest for the future.

The T2 check in facility is mainly used by easyJet which, like many airlines, operates a reduced programme during the winter. The building also provides additional check in facilities for holiday airlines such as Thomas Cook and Canadian Affair. As a seasonal airport - with double the number of passengers in the summer months - T2 is little used during the winter months.

The closure will take effect from Tuesday 17 November. T2 will re-open in April, at the start of the summer 2010 season.

During the winter period, all departing passengers will check-in at the main terminal. Passengers are being advised of the closure plan in advance to ensure they are not inconvenienced.

The temporary closure of T2 will not result in any BAA job losses. Contrary to earlier media reports, the airport will continue to operate 24 hours a day, as it has always done.

Derek Provan, Customer Service Director at Glasgow Airport, said: "The decision to close T2 for a short period is the right one for Glasgow Airport and its airlines. This is simply a matter of good housekeeping. T2 is little used during the quiet winter months. It makes economic sense to close it over the winter to reduce costs.

"The airport is a commercial operation and, like any private business, we need to keep a tight control over our costs so that we can make best use of our resources, and invest for the future."

Last October, BAA Glasgow opened a new £31 million terminal extension offering state of the art security, more space to relax and new shops, bars and restaurants. This year, the airport is investing £12 million on new terminal and airfield facilities, and expects to spend between £150 - £200 million over the next decade.

Derek Provan added: "We can only continue this scale of investment in the future of our airport by continually lowering costs and managing our airport more efficiently."

Not so good for the operators of Glasgow Airport Parking

 

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Glasgow Airport Jobs not at risk                                              October 13 2009

Glasgow Airport operator BAA have played down jobs fears over their cost saving exercise which includes a plan to close Terminal 2 over the winter lull.

But local politicians along with BAA are assuring the airports 20,000 workers their jobs are safe despite being hit by the recession.

A Glasgow Airport BAA spokesperson said: "Like any private business Glasgow Airport must control its costs - particularly during times of recession - so that it remains competitive.

"We are currently looking at a range of options to reduce costs over the quieter winter months, when we traditionally have fewer passengers. It's entirely sensible that we do so, so that we continue to deliver value for money for our airline partners.

"However, we are still in discussion with airlines and nothing has been agreed at this stage.

"Any decision we take will be in the best long term interests of Glasgow Airport, and will enhance our ability to invest for the future.

"Glasgow Airport is continuing to invest £12 million on new terminal and airfield facilities this year, as part of a £200 million investment over the next ten years.

"We can only make this investment by reducing our fixed costs."

Renfrewshire politicians say talks with BAA have assured them that jobs are not at risk.

Jim Sheridan, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said: "As a business the Airport is attempting to control costs and are looking at various options to achieve this during the winter lull, however, I have been told that no decisions have been reached and that discussions with the airlines who use the airport are ongoing.

"My key aim is to avoid job losses where possible and support Glasgow Airport as one of Scotland's principal transport hubs.

"I am pleased that BAA are continuing to invest £12 million on new terminal and airfield facilities as part of a £200 million investment over the next ten years despite the decision by the Scottish Executive to pull the plug on the airport rail link.

"I will continue to monitor the situation closely to support the Airport, its staff and the interests of the travelling public who use the airport."

MSP for Paisley South, Hugh Henry said: "I know Glasgow Airport, like other airport operators, are facing difficult times.

"BAA has a good record of investment in Glasgow Airport and I don't want that to be jeopardised.

"BAA has told me that no decision has been taken yet about its operations over the winter months including T2.

"I have, however, written to BAA seeking assurances that Glasgow Airport's long term future will be protected."

Leader of Renfrewshire Council, Derek Mackay, said: "As a Council we have positive working relations with BAA Glasgow, and have been given assurances no jobs are at risk. BAA have been very clear about this."

 

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Glasgow Airport considers winter shut down                                 October 8 2009

Glasgow airport operator BAA has confirmed it is considering the closure of a terminal for a few weeks in the winter to cut costs.

A BAA spokesman said the closure of Terminal 2 was one of "a range of options" being looked at.

The terminal has been used as a check-in for low-cost carrier Easyjet after it opened five years ago to deal with the main terminal's overspill.

However, the spokesman added that nothing had yet been decided.

BAA is already under pressure to sell off either Glasgow or Edinburgh airports under a Competition Commission ruling it is appealing against later this month.

The commission told the firm in March that it must sell Gatwick and Stansted airports and either Edinburgh or Glasgow Airport.

BAA, which is owned by Spanish firm Ferrovial, said the ruling failed to take into account the tough economic climate facing the aviation industry.

The challenging conditions came into focus this week with British Airways announcing 1,700 job cuts and a pay freeze.

Now BAA has confirmed it is looking to reduce its costs during the quieter winter months.

Spokesman Donald Morrison said: "Like any private business, Glasgow airport must control its costs - particularly during times of recession - so that it remains competitive.

"We are currently looking at a range of options to reduce costs over the quieter winter months, when we traditionally have fewer passengers.

"However, we are still in discussion with airlines and nothing has been agreed at this stage."

He said the airport was continuing to invest £12m on new terminal and airfield facilities this year.

But he added: "We can only make this investment by reducing our fixed costs."

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Will Glasgow Airport failure lead to more use of solar power      October 10 2009

While airports are making a concerted effort to explore new ways of cutting energy emissions on the ground - such as the global push towards low energy LED lights for runway operations - solar power and solar LED technology is being considered by some industry experts as having growing potential for taxiway, helipad and obstruction lighting and as a standby power or lighting option during airfield emergencies.

In a recent incident, failed runway lights caused a blackout at Glasgow International Airport, resulting in aborted landings and takeoffs. It is these scenarios that solar lighting could, in the future, offer a reliable and energy-efficient back-up system, explained Thomas Petzing, a senior first officer for Virgin Atlantic and advisor for Aviation Renewables - an industry leader in consulting for solar LED lighting and power applications at commercial airports. “They would be particularly helpful for commercial airports in developing countries where they can lack the power or lighting infrastructure.

From a pilot’s perspective when you are looking at airfields and planning before a flight, you have to anticipate everything that could go wrong, including what the infrastructure is like at an airport. This is a bigger issue at certain airports in developing countries and I would like to see them take the lead with solar power. If an airport’s infrastructure is not good then we need to take more fuel to prepare for a missed approach in the event we are faced with a blackout.”

Petzing also highlighted other uncertainties pilots can face. “When you are flying over parts of Africa or Siberia, for example, if there was a technical problem and you had to divert the plane, a pilot would like to know what lighting systems they’ll be faced with. These are issues you have to think about.” Petzing is currently in discussions with the South African authorities to help steer the airports towards solar lighting solutions. “There is a huge amount of international kudos to be had using it,” he said.

Solar lighting solutions - like any airfield technology - must comply with ICAO, CAP 168 and FAA light output requirements. ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) has set up a Visual Aids Working Group and is discussing the wider potential of solar power through continued coordination with air transport stakeholders and usersAviation Renewables was the first company to introduce solar LED lighting at commercial airports in 2002. It consults and collaborates with all international industry stakeholders, including ICAO, FAA, US DOD, NATO and civil aviation authorities, while also representing manufacturers who produce green solutions for the aviation industry. Allister Wilmott, the founder and director explained the benefits of solar power and solar LED lighting. “These include no energy costs, virtually no infrastructure requirements and little or no maintenance. Solar powered lighting is a niche technology within the industry but is starting to become recognised as proven, reliable and mainstream. The technology was first installed in the Middle East and at US military bases before commercial airports started to recognise its potential.”

Solar powered lights are particularly effective at general aviation airports where most have minimal guidance, if any at all for pilots trying to guide their way from runways to parking areas. Solar power usage is also proving to have viable applications at commercial airports. Wilmott explained: “The big commercial airports started testing the technology for use in temporary applications such as marking obstructions and lighting taxiways. The biggest development was the introduction of radio control from the tower or aircraft, allowing commercial airports to implement solar lighting technology for use on their runways during emergency or temporary lighting operations. I think this is an effective safety and operating benefit for solar technology at commercial airports, along with additional uses such as permanent taxiway lighting, obstruction lighting, windsock lighting and visual glide slope lighting.” Some notable examples of solar powered lighting being used as an emergency back-up system involve commercial airports located in sunny climes. They include: Grantley Adams international Airport in Barbados, VC Bird International in Antigua and Alice Springs International Airport in Australia. Grand Bahamas International Airport has also just installed solar powered taxiway edge lights from Avlite Systems in partnership with Aviation Renewables.

In the UK, Newcastle International Airport is using green solar powered studs to provide pilots with enhanced taxiway capabilities.

“The technology is still in its infancy but it is providing an enhancement to our operations and it works for us,” said Chris Davis, the airport’s head of operations.

There are inevitably some drawbacks with solar power, which can only operate at higher intensities for a limited period of time if not connected into power cables. Wilmott said: “The main goal for any technology within the aviation industry is to meet the safety requirements. Technology advances within solar LED airfield lighting have resulted in increased hours of autonomy, or the amount of time solar powered lights can continue to run without sunlight and at a medium intensity.”

He also pointed to significant improvements in LED intensities and efficiencies and creative advancements in RF communications, controls and encryption, suggesting that a hybrid solar airfield lighting system with cables providing a back-up power supply could be a future possibility for commercial airports that must be able to meet all safety requirements 24 hours a day.

“One of the key economic and technical applications we are researching right now is how realistic it is in terms of cost, safety and operation. It will be interesting to see if the hybrid system catches on in the industry. The question is, can the technology, industry and authorities make the hybrid jump?,” said Wilmott.

Maybe the runway light failure at Glasgow Airport will prove to be a blessing in disguise.

 

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BAA blamed for Glasgow Airport rail link failure                     October 13 2009

 

Scottish government officials have accused Glasgow Airport’s owner BAA of rejecting rail link plans that would have avoided cost overruns.

The Airport-Glasgow city project eventually was scrapped last month.

The government now has accused British Airports Authority (BAA) of opting for a rail route that required the relocation of the airport’s fuel farm, car park and other facilities and which contributed to cost estimates within the airport campus escalating from GBP8m to GBP70m.

A cheaper route, the preferred option of local body Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) when it first backed the project, was rejected by BAA as it would have interfered with its own plans to redevelop the airport.

BAA had veto powers over any work affecting airport facilities and rebuffed efforts to drive through economical rail options, opponents say.

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Glasgow Airport Rail Link row goes on                           September 30 2009

THE leader of Glasgow City Council will demand the Scottish Government rethinks its decision to scrap the Glasgow Airport Rail Link when he goes before MSPs next week.

Steven Purcell will face MSPs on the Scottish Parliament's transport committee to plead the case for the link which was shelved earlier this month.

He said the link was a vital part of Glasgow's transport plans for the future and would create over a thousand jobs.

Councillor Purcell said: "I am looking forward to putting what is the overwhelming case for the Glasgow airport rail link to the Transport Committee.

"I will be seeking the reinstatement of the link which will not only provide Glasgow and the west of Scotland with £395million of vital investment, but create more than 1300 jobs."

Finance Secretary John Swinney announced in his budget speech that the planned £212m Glasgow Airport Rail Link (Garl) had to be scrapped because of a spending squeeze imposed by Westminster.

But Councillor Purcell is calling on the Scottish Parliament to look again at how Mr Swinney came to make that decision.

The council leader added: "The business community and all those interested in the prosperity of Glasgow and the west of Scotland believe parliament must take a long hard look at the way the Government reached their decision.

"I hope the committee will be able to get to the bottom of how the decision was made.

"What is also vital is to find out how the Scottish Government arrived at the escalated figures they claimed were the reason this project, a key component of our bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, was cancelled," said Councillor Purcell The rail link was intended to be delivered in time for the Games, but was planned to improve links from the city and airport long before Glasgow won the event.

But the Scottish Government have insisted that current economic conditions mean pressing the plan is not affordable.

The decision has driven a wedge between Glasgow City Council and the SNP Government who have been accused of a "breach of trust" with the city over the cancellation.

Thanks to the Glasgow Evening News

 

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Hooligan arrested over Glasgow Airport laser light incident     September 26 2009

The pilot and co-pilot of a British Airways plane reported being dazzled by the beam of bright light while they flew the Boeing 757 - carrying 200 passengers - over the Glasgow's Castlemilk area en-route to Glasgow Airport. A helicopoter was scrambled to assist in tracing the source of the light.

A source said: "The crew were dazed and confused and needed to check their position."

An airport insider added: "The Boeing was approaching its final flight path prior to landing when both the skipper and co-pilot radioed that they were disorientated by a beam from the ground. Both were dazzled.

"When the helicopter arrived the light remained visible.

"It was later said by passengers on the airliner to have been extremely powerful."

The plane was guided safely to the runway and cops on the ground were able to follow the beam of light.

Strathclyde Police last night confirmed that a 19-year-old man had been arrested over the incident earlier this month. A spokesman said: "He will be the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal for alleged offences under the Air Navigation Order."

Airlines recently launched a crackdown on yobs targeting planes with dangerous lasers.

More than 200 cases were reported last year to the Civil Aviation Authority - compared with just 29 in 2007.

 

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Arguments continue over Glasgow Airport Rail link                September 17 2009

 

The BBC reports:

""Scottish ministers have been accused of being "anti-Glasgow" over the decision to axe the Glasgow Airport Rail Link amid concerns about spending cuts.

The city council said the move was "a dagger in the heart" of the west of Scotland economy.

Ministers highlighted significant investment in the city's transport, health and housing.

Up to £182m had been earmarked for improving the line between Glasgow and Paisley, with £47m already spent.

'Vital link'

The rail link involved plans to upgrade five-and-a-half miles of track and lay one mile of track between Paisley St James Station and Glasgow Airport.

A spur would then have been built from Paisley to Glasgow Airport.

The leader of Labour-controlled Glasgow City Council, Steven Purcell, hit out at the SNP government over its decision to axe the plan.

He said: "The Glasgow Airport Rail Link is a vital piece of the infrastructure needed for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the continued economic growth of the west of Scotland.

"The SNP has today taken that from us and offered us part funding for a bus lane. That is the worst deal in modern history.

"The Scottish Government has a clear anti-Glasgow agenda. They are investing billions of pounds in the east and north east of Scotland, with projects such as the new Forth crossing, and giving Glasgow the crumbs off the table."

Alistair Watson, chairman of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, said: "We are deeply disappointed at the cancellation of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link particularly as SPT has campaigned for the project for 20 years.

"We hope that it doesn't prejudice the Commonwealth Games as the airport link is central to the bid."

He said that if problems with rising costs had arisen these had developed after the time that SPT was the lead agency on the project.

"Every cloud has a silver lining though and we welcome the government support for our Bus Rapid Transit system know as Fastlink," he added.

The decision was also criticised by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stuart Patrick who described it as "intensely disappointing".

He said: "The case for the Glasgow Airport Rail Link was overwhelming. It would have played a vital role in the integrated transport system in the west of Scotland as a whole, providing desperately needed relief for the grossly congested M8, thereby speeding up the business process."

Job creation

Mr Patrick said the link would also "have safeguarded jobs, grown the economy of the region and boosted the importance of Glasgow Airport within the Scottish economy".

The planned rail link would have seen four trains run between Glasgow and the airport every hour, with a stop in Paisley.

The link was originally proposed by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport which won backing from MSPs for the plan in 2006.

Responsibility for taking the project forward passed to Transport Scotland last year with a provisional budget of up to £395m.

The project was due to be completed in two stages in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Scottish ministers estimated it would have generated 1,300 jobs in total.

Up to £182m had been earmarked for improving the line between Glasgow and Paisley.

About £47m of this has already been spent on station improvements to Glasgow Central and new track and signalling.

This work will continue but the spur between Paisley St James Station and Glasgow Airport - including a new station at the airport - will not go ahead.

It is estimated that by shelving these plans, the Scottish Government will have saved up to £200m.

The airport operator BAA said it was "disappointed that Transport Scotland underestimated the costs of relocating infrastructure to the extent that the project can no longer proceed".

Upgrade needed

A spokeswoman said: "We raised our concerns over the original cost estimates when the Glasgow Airport Rail Link was reviewed by the Scottish Parliament three years ago and recognise that Scottish ministers have since faced significant increased costs from Transport Scotland's revised forecasts.

"Like many others, we have invested a good deal of time and effort in the Glasgow Airport Rail Link and believe that Scotland urgently needs to upgrade its long-term transport infrastructure."

Renfrewshire Council leader Derek Mackay said he was disappointed at the decision though he understood the reasons "at a time when public funding is under serious pressure".

"We all must take an honest and realistic approach to such projects given the drastically changed economic position from when the business case was originally considered," he said.

"Disappointment is counterbalanced with the real prospect that costs could have soared."

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Glasgow Airport rail link scrapped                                        September 16 2009

""After months of speculation and official denials, the decision to scrap one of Scotland’s biggest transport infrastructure projects still caught most observers by surprise.

 After months of speculation and official denials, the decision to scrap one of Scotland’s biggest transport infrastructure projects still caught most observers by surprise.

Among senior politicians and business leaders in the west of Scotland, there was a view that the £395m Glasgow Airport Rail Link was simply "too important" abandon in the run up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games. In the days leading up to the announcement, industry partners including Network Rail and train operator ScotRail still viewed it as a "live" project, with apparently positive developments in negotiations with airport owner BAA over reducing costs.

But after seeing the price of preparatory works at the airport balloon from an original estimate of £8m in 2007 to £70m – a figure that was being publicly questioned by Labour last night – ministers decided to take the political hit rather than risk committing to a potentially bottomless money pit.

Instead, Finance Secretary John Swinney committed to contributing to a "Fastlink" bus connection from Glasgow to the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre and newly expanded Southern General Hospital.

Initial costings by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) put the bus link at up to £45m. The Herald also understands that Glasgow City Council and SPT have been examining options to extend Fastlink to the east end in time for the Games but that this is dependent on government funding.

However, it remained unclear yesterday what shape Fastlink would take, with fears expressed that it would simply be an enhanced bus service rather than a "tram on wheels".

As well as being hugely embarrassing for the Scottish Government, yesterday’s decision also puts Glasgow City Council in an awkward position as it had guaranteed both GARL and the Edinburgh Airport link, which was abandoned earlier amid similar concerns on potential cost overruns, as part of its bid to host the 2014 Games.

City council leader Steven Purcell said that scrapping the airport link was a "dagger in the heart of Glasgow" and accused the government of a "clear anti-Glasgow agenda".

He said: "The Glasgow Airport Rail Link is a vital piece of the infrastructure needed for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the continued economic growth of the west of Scotland. The SNP has today taken that from us and offered us part funding for a bus lane. That is the worst deal in modern history."

Trade unions, business representatives including the CBI, SCDI and chambers of commerce joined environmentalists and sustainable transport lobbyists to condemn the decision.

Des McNulty, Labour’s Scottish transport spokesman, said: "By withdrawing first the Edinburgh and Glasgow airport links, the SNP has ensured that our transport system wont integrate rail and airport passengers. It will be a huge disappointment for people in Scotland not to be able to go by train to the country’s biggest airports, which is commonplace throughout Europe."

The criticism was echoed by the LibDems and Greens.

BAA also accused Transport Scotland (TS) of underestimating the costs of relocating infrastructure at the airport. A spokeswoman added: "We raised our concerns over the original cost estimates when the Glasgow Airport Rail Link was reviewed by the Scottish Parliament three years ago and recognise that Scottish Ministers have since faced significant increased costs from Transport Scotland’s revised forecasts."

However, it leaves a £182m programme of upgrades to the rail infrastructure at Paisley intact. The project, which is being carried out by Network Rail, was bundled together with GARL to avoid duplication in June 2008 when TS took responsibility for the project from SPT.

A spokesman for Network Rail said the package of improvements, including signalling work and junction enhancements, as well as the creation of two new platforms at Glasgow Central, was "on time and on budget".

So far, £47.5m has been spent on GARL, though TS was unable to specify how much of that had gone on the scrapped airport spur. Work has been undertaken to build 11 replacement football pitches and changing facilities at seven locations across Renfrewshire, while most of the land purchases necessary for the airport branch line had been agreed before TS took the project over.

Doubts over GARL emerged earlier this year when the Sunday Herald revealed the cost of relocating a fuel farm at Glasgow Airport had risen from £5m to £30m. The Herald has since learned that BAA had lined up a preferred bidder in June to carry out the work but the deal was put on hold while a review of the project’s costs and scope was carried out.""

CHEAP air fares from Glasgow International Airport has tempted thousands of extra English holidaymakers to cross the border.This summer has seen an influx of 10,000 extra passengers taking advantage of the English school holiday situation.Traditionally when Scottish schools are on summer holiday air fares are at their highest. But once the schools return in mid-August, peak travel costs are over in Scotland.But English school holidays continue for another fortnight so families down south can make use of Glasgow's off-peak flight fares.

Glasgow Airport Managing Director, Amanda McMillan, said: "The focus for us this year has been to retain our existing routes and work with airlines to ensure their planes fly full.

"Our strategy is to grow our catchment area by targeting areas such as all central Scotland, Lanarkshire, the Borders and the north of England."

Freed Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi has left  Glasgow Airport on his way to Libya.

Al-Megrahi walked slowly up the steps of the Airbus operated by Libyan airline Afriqiyah. He was convicted in 2001 of taking part in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 on Dec. 21, 1988 that killed 270 people.Scottish officials said Thursday they were freeing him on compassionate grounds. Al-Megrahi has terminal prostate cancer and has been given less than three months to live.

In the USA, the White House said it "deeply regrets" the Scottish decision, and U.S. family members immediately expressed outrage.Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, who had served only eight years of his life sentence, was recently given only months to live after being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said although al-Megrahi had not shown compassion to his victims — many of whom were American college students flying home to New York for Christmas — MacAskill was motivated by Scottish values to show mercy."Some hurts can never heal, some scars can never fade," MacAskill said. "Those who have been bereaved cannot be expected to forget, let alone forgive ... However, Mr. al-Megrahi now faces a sentence imposed by a higher power."Al-Megrahi, 57, was convicted in 2001 of taking part in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 on Dec. 21, 1988. He was sentenced to life in prison. The airliner exploded over Scotland, and all 259 people aboard and 11 on the ground died when it crashed into the town of Lockerbie.

The former Libyan intelligence officer was sentenced to serve a minimum of 27 years in a Scottish prison for Britain's deadliest terrorist attack. But a 2007 review of his case found grounds for an appeal of his conviction, and many in Britain believe he is innocent.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Thursday the United States disagreed with the decision to free al-Megrahi."We continue to believe that Megrahi should serve out his sentence in Scotland," Gibbs said. "On this day, we extend our deepest sympathies to the families who live every day with the loss of their loved ones."MacAskill said he stood by al-Megrahi's conviction and the sentence for "the worst terrorist atrocity ever committed on U.K. soil."He said he ruled out sending the bomber back to Libya under a prisoner-transfer agreement, saying the U.S. victims had been given assurances that al-Megrahi would serve out his sentence in Scotland.But he said that as a prisoner given less than three months to live by doctors, al-Megrahi was eligible for compassionate release.

"I am conscious that there are deeply held feelings and many will disagree whatever my decision," he said. "However, a decision has to be made."

The families of some American victims lashed out.

"I think it's appalling, disgusting and so sickening I can hardly find words to describe it," said Susan Cohen of Cape May Court House, N.J., whose 20-year-old daughter, Theodora, died in the attack. "This isn't about compassionate release. This is part of give-Gadhafi-what-he-wants-so-we-can-have-the-oil.""I don't understand how the Scots can show compassion. It's an utter insult and utterly disgusting," said Kara Weipz, of Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, whose 20-year-old brother Richard Monetti was on board Pan Am Flight 103. "It's horrible. I don't show compassion for someone who showed no remorse."

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Campaigner living in the flightpath of Glasgow Airport have called for a late-night curfew to be imposed.Residents in Clydebank want to see an 11pm shut down to bring an end to the noise of big jets through the night.Joe Henry, of Clydebank East Community Council, said: "I have lived under the flightpath for 12 years and the problem does not go away."It can be 3am and 4am when you can still here them overhead and residents have had enough. This is a built-up area and residents are affected by it."We are calling on airport chiefs to issue an 11pm curfew. It is done in other countries so why can't it be done here."The association met airport bosses last week to put concerns to them.A spokesman for Glasgow Airport said: "We realise aircraft noise is a concern for some residents who live close to the airport flightpath."That is why we have put in place a series of measures to minimise noise impacts, including a ban on the noisiest aircraft, day and night-time noise limits, and fines for airlines that breach the UK Government's noise limits.

"As a result, independent surveys carried out by the regulator of air travel in the UK show Glasgow Airport is now quieter than ever before. Nevertheless, we are far from complacent, which is why, in the coming weeks, we will also launch a public consultation on plans for a noise insulation scheme.

"However, we must ensure Glasgow Airport remains competitive and open to new business.

"At a time of recession, and with 5000 local jobs dependent on the airport, it would be hugely damaging to the west of Scotland economy, and to our tourism industry, to undermine the airport's competitiveness."There are no shortage of airports willing to take business away from this region."The spokesman said less than 5% of all flights occur between 11pm and 6am. The number of aircraft using Glasgow Airport is now at a 12-year low and the number of night time flights is the lowest since 2002.Campaigners are now being helped by the Adopt A Resident initiative launched in Clydebank by activist group Plane Stupid.More than 50 residents signed up to be adopted' by environmental activist groups all over the UK.

MSP Gil Paterson contacted 11,000 households in Bearsden and Milngavie and asked them what they thought about the noise of planes which roar over them day and night into Glasgow Airport.

His survey has had 3,751 responses from residents and he says the results revealpeople are frustrated at the manner in which airport owners BAA Scotland handle their complaints.
Mr Paterson, an SNP MSP, believes that the self-regulation enjoyed by Scotland's airports is not in the travelling public's interests and has written to the Secretary of State for Transport to call for the department's noise limits to be imposed on Glasgow Airport.He has asked for the end of self-regulation at Glasgow Airport so that it is brought into line by being regulated by the Department of Transport as is the case for London airports. He also wants night flying restrictions, currently laid down for London airports, to be extended to Glasgow, an investigation into how homes can be insulated against aircraft noise and actual noise measurements to be carried out.He is also calling for compensation for loss of amenity to those living under the flight path. The MSP said: "The most worrying aspect of the survey feedback was those whose sleep is affected by aircraft noise and the effect this can have on their health."The people of Bearsden and Milngavie are just as prone to this as the people of London, so the same protection should be offered to both.
"Air travel is vital to the Scottish economy, but we need to strike a balance between Glasgow Airport being an asset to many while being a nightmare to others."

A Glasgow Airport spokesman said: "Many of the measures Mr Paterson is calling for already exist and have been in place for a number of years. For example, we already adopts the same noise restrictions and limits on night flying that exist for airports in the South East of England so to suggest this is not the case is entirely misleading.

"We realise that noise is a real concern for many residents who live close to the Glasgow Airport flightpath. That is why we have put in place a series of measures to minimise noise impacts, including a ban on the noisiest aircraft, day and night time noise limits, and fines for airlines that breach the UK Government's noise limits."

Figures from BAA show Glasgow Airport handled 12.9% fewer passengers compared with the same period last year, while Aberdeen Airport  saw a 9% drop.

But Edinburgh Airport saw record growth last month with a 5.6% increase.

BAA Scotland said there were some signs of stabilisation, with July seeing the smallest fall in numbers since January.

Its three airports in Scotland handled more than two million passengers last month, a 4.6% drop.

A spokesman said: "By any standard, and particularly during a recession, that is a substantial number of travellers.

"We are delighted with the performance of our hardworking customer service and security staff who delivered a fast, effective operation during the busiest month of the year.

"With the smallest percentage drop since January, and the fourth consecutive month of growth at Edinburgh Airport, July's performance is encouraging and underlines the unique importance of good air links to Scotland and its economy.

Flights between Edinburgh Airport and Glasgow Airport and Palma were delayed for more than six hours during the security clampdown.

The Mediterranean island's paramilitary civil guard said the suspected Eta bomb – the second in two days – was planted outside its offices in the Palmanova beach resort area, south-west of Palma.

It exploded around lunchtime a few miles from where Spain's royal family is on holiday. Several people were injured but none seriously.

A Foreign Office spokesman said there had been no reports of any British people being hurt.

Police later found a second bomb under another police jeep in the same area and carried out a controlled explosion.

Officers immediately launched "Operation Cage" to close the airports and ports across the island to prevent the bombers' escape.

The move – in the peak holiday season – caused chaos and was a further blow to the island's tourism-based economy.

The Association of British Travel Agents said there were an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 Britons in Majorca.

Helen Halstead, 30, from Manchester, was eating in a restaurant when she heard the explosion.

She said: "As soon as I heard the noise I ran around the corner and found there was a big fire in a car. There was debris around the car and in the road and smoke in the sky.

"There was a guy on the floor and they were trying to resuscitate him.

"Because it was outside the civil guard office, they were there straight away, cordoning off the road and moving people out of the way."

The officers killed were aged 27 and 28. The civil guard is chiefly responsible for policing rural areas and guarding offi