FlyGlasgow.net Glasgow Airport news, Glasgow International Airport news, latest news from Glasgow Airport, Prestwick Airport news, Glasgow Prestwick Airport news, latest news from Prestwick Airport. | £2 million investment to improve access to Scotland's gateway airport | 04 June 2010 | A £2 million plan to improve access, ease congestion and reduce vehicle emissions is underway at Glasgow International Airport.
The investment will see a new passenger drop-off zone created to the west of the main terminal, replacing the temporary facility in the multi-storey car park, which was introduced after the 2007 terrorist attack.
New arrangements are also being introduced for passenger pick-up, with special provision made for passengers with reduced mobility.
The plan is to ensure passengers dropping-off or picking-up at the airport can do so safely, while also making the experience more user-friendly.
Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow International Airport, said: “This is a plan that looks to the long term, putting in place the infrastructure that will enable Glasgow International Airport to continue moving forward.
“We have designed a package of measures that makes it easier for passengers and motorists to access Glasgow International Airport, and honours our commitment to support sustainable transport.
“It also delivers an attractive forecourt area and intuitive road network, with the look and feel of a major international airport.”
The changes will start to take effect from Tuesday June 8. The passenger drop-off zone will relocate from its temporary home in the ground floor of the multi-storey car park to a new purpose built facility, a short walk from the terminal.
All passengers arriving by car and being dropped off will be dropped off in this new zone. New walkways will be built and existing roads re-routed to create a dedicated route for passengers on foot.
A canopy will link the new drop-off zone directly to the main terminal, and a new outdoor information hub will be created to provide a meeting point and landmark for passengers and waiting friends and family.
The hub will include information screens showing details of both arriving and departing flights. Help points will also be provided for passengers needing assistance.
Passenger pick-up will revert to the system in place before the 2007 terrorist attack, with private motorists directed to Car Park 1. Outdoor information screens will ensure that anyone picking-up can keep track of arriving flights.
Glasgow International Airport’s Planning & Transport Manager Ross Nimmo said: “The new system ensures passengers with flights to catch can be dropped off quickly and easily, while those waiting to pick up can do so in Car Park 1, keeping an eye on the new flight information screens to see when their passengers will arrive.
“It is entirely fair and sensible that motorists waiting for arriving passengers do so in a car park. This way we can manage congestion and minimise the potential disruption to departing passengers.”
For passengers using pre-booked private taxis, a new dedicated pick-up zone will be created in the multi-storey car park, opposite the main terminal.
Passengers using buses and airport licensed taxis are unaffected by the changes and will continue to be picked up from the terminal forecourt.
The plan also includes a new entrance to the multi-storey car park, which can be accessed more quickly and easily from the M8. Passengers using this car park will no longer have to follow the same route used by vehicles that are dropping off or picking up.
The St Andrew’s Drive drop-off point, which was developed as a temporary solution following the terrorist attack, is being transformed into a dedicated cycle route as part of a project to improve provision for cyclists around the airport. The public will no longer be able to pick-up or drop-off in this area.
Special provision has been made to ensure disabled passengers continue to drop off and pick up directly opposite the terminal, with free access for up to 30 minutes. |  | | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Aer Lingus announce new route from Glasgow International to Shannon | 31 May 2010 | Aer Lingus, Irelands National Airline, has announced a new route from Glasgow International to the Irish city of Shannon.
From 01 July 2010, Aer Lingus will fly seven days a week with fares starting at just £39.99 one-way including taxes. Flights can be booked at aerlingus.com and are on sale from Wednesday 02 June 2010.
The new route to Shannon is just the latest part of a rapid expansion by Aer Lingus at Glasgow International Airport. A year ago the airline offered just one flight per day to Dublin, now the airline offers four daily return flights to Dublin as well as daily flights to Cork and Shannon.
A spokesman for Aer Lingus said: “The launch had been a response to strong calls from business and tourism sectors in the region for direct flights to Glasgow”.
Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, said: "Shannon is a fantastic new destination for us, providing a direct link to Limerick and the Province of Munster in the Irish midwest.
"Since their launch earlier this year, our current Aer Lingus services to Cork and Dublin have proved hugely popular with both business and leisure travellers in Scotland and Ireland.
We will be working hard to ensure that our new Shannon flights are the next chapter in that success story." |  | | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Barrhead Travel's inaugural flights to Barcelona and Palma take off | 29 May 2010 | Barrhead Travel will celebrate the launch of its first ever exclusive own-brand package holiday flights from Glasgow International Airport today, Saturday 29 May 2010.
Following a £2million investment, Scotland's largest independent travel agent will become the first in Scotland to provide their own brand package holidays, with charter flights to Barcelona and Palma operated by British Airways.
Barrhead Travel is optimistic that the flights will prove to be a success and already has plans to add flights to a further six unnamed destinations.
The program will run from late May to mid September with flights to Palma, Majorca operating every Saturday, while flights to Barcelona, the Catalan capital will depart every Sunday.
Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow International Airport, commented: "Barrhead Travel's decision to start their own holiday program is great news for both the airport and Scottish holidaymakers as they are a strong brand with a track record of providing quality value and service.
"Spain remains the most popular holiday destination for Scottish families and with these flights also serving the Mediterranean cruise market, I am confident they will be a great success.
"With many holidaymakers increasingly looking for peace of mind when they book a holiday, Barrhead Travel's strong position in the marketplace, and their partnership with British Airways, offers that peace of mind. |  | | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Kiss Flights add four new routes from Glasgow | 28 May 2010 | Kiss Flights, one of Britain’s fastest growing airlines, has added four new routes from Glasgow International Airport, bringing to total number of destinations serviced by the airline from Glasgow to 19.
In February 2010, flyglasgow.net revealed that Kiss flights would announce “extra Glasgow International capacity soon” and today flyglasgow delivered on its promise.
The holiday airline will operate new weekly flights to Antalya, Bodrum, Mahon and Palma from June 2011, using a Glasgow based Boeing 737-800 with capacity for 189 passengers.
Kiss Flights expects to serve 36,000 travellers on the new routes over a six month period, giving Scots greater choice of low cost flights to Europe’s sun drenched Mediterranean caost.
Kiss Flights director Paul Moss said: "Kiss Flights are enjoying a period of strong growth and we are delighted to be able to offer these flights from Glasgow.
Since the demise of FlyGlobespan we have had unprecedented requests from the travel trade to offer increased capacity from Glasgow."
Kiss flights from Glasgow to Alicante, Antalya, Bodrum, Corfu, Dalaman, Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Heraklion, Kos, Lanzarote, Mahon, Malaga, Palma, Paphos, Rhodes, Sharm el Sheikh, Tenerife and Zante can be booked now from just £70 return, including tax at kissflights.com. |  | | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | US Airways relaunch seasonal service from Glasgow to the USA | 27 May 2010 | US Airways, one of the largest airlines in the United States, has resumed its seasonal route from Glasgow to Philadelphia, one of America’s fastest growing tourist destinations.
The Philadelphia based airline will operate daily 03 October 2010, when the route will again cease for the winter season.
Flights are operated by a Boeing 757, offering both Economy and Business Class seating.
The American carrier expects to serve 60,000 travellers on the route over the summer, giving Scots an opportunity to enjoy a visit to many of the United State’s top holiday destinations including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York and Orlando.
US Airways launched flights to Glasgow International in 2005. Since its launch, the route has continued to perform well and in 2009, the routes strongest performing season to date, the airline carried more passengers over a two month period than Continental’s daily service to New York, making the route Glasgow’s most used service to the USA.
Return flights direct to the US are available from just £268 per person, including all taxes and additional charges.
US Airways flight US769 will depart Glasgow International at 10:10 and arrive in Philadelphia at 13:00, while the return flight, US768 will depart Philadelphia at 18:45 and arrive in Glasgow at 06:45.
Flights can be booked now via the airlines official website at usairways.com. |  | | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Thomson Airways announce new route to Croatia from Glasgow International | 25 May 2010 | Thomson Airways, one of the words largest leisure airlines, is launching its first route from Scotland to Croatia, with a new route from Glasgow to Pula.
The airline plans to operate the route every Tuesday from 3 May 2011.
Pula is Thomson’s third new route planned from Glasgow International Airport for 2011, having already announced new long haul flights to Boa Vista in Cape Verde and Montego Bay in Jamaica.
Flights will depart from Glasgow International Airport at 08:00, arriving in Pula at 11:55, with the return flight departing Pula at 12:55 and arriving back in Glasgow at 14:50.
Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow International Airport, welcomed Thomson's expansion from Glasgow International, one of the United Kingdom's biggest airports.
She said: "The charter market remains strong at Glasgow and many holidaymakers appear to be returning to the traditional package holiday because of the value for money they provide, and the fantastic choice of destinations they serve.
"The addition of new flights to Cape Verde and Pula is good news for holidaymakers looking for great value holidays in the sun."
Thomson Airways flights from Glasgow to 36 worldwide destinations can be booked online now at flights.thomson.com. |  | | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Connect at three of the world's top hubs from Glasgow and avoid London Heathrow | 21 May 2010 | Travel Guide, Lonely Planet, has revealed what it says are the world’s 10 best international hub airport, including three which are directly linked to Glasgow.
Taking second spot was the award winning Dubai Airport in the United Arab Emirates.
Dubai Airport is a shopper’s paradise, which brims with oh-so-much-more than the usual stash of cigarettes and liquor. Dubai is duty-free heaven, with almost 2sq km of space to swipe your plastic.
Passengers from Glasgow can experience Dubai airport with Emirates Airline, who offer daily flights from Glasgow to Dubai with onward connections available to over 70 destinations in Africa, the Middle and Far East, Australia and New Zealand.
In fifth position is Iceland’s Keflavik Airport.
Keflavik airport welcomes passengers to Iceland like a sleek Scandinavian space station, with smooth designer lines, swish sensi-flush toilets and the faint cooing of Bjork’s ethereal voice in the distance.
But Iceland’s little air hub earns a spot near the top of the list for the adjacent Blue Lagoon, a spa secreted behind the rolling tundra. Buses whisk tired travelers away to the nearby enclave for an invigorating soak in the natural hot spring, which gurgles with a magical recipe of replenishing elements. Don’t forget to pack the Speedos in your carry-on luggage!
Icelandair offer up to five flights a week from Glasgow International to Keflavik, with onward connections available to thirteen destinations across Canada and the United States.
Taking the number seven spot is Canada’s Vancouver Airport.
The high standards at Vancouver Airport have been maintained throughout the years and today Vancouver Airport is probably the only airport in the world with its own curator; the airport also boasts one of the largest collections of local indigenous art in the world.
Air Transat, Canadian Affair and Thomas Cook offer weekly flights direct from Glasgow International to Vancouver. | | | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | easyJet to boost capacity at Glasgow International Airport | 19 May 2010 | flyglasgow can exclusively reveal that easyJet, one of Europe’s largest budget airlines, will increase its capacity at Glasgow International Airport by basing an Airbus A320 type aircraft at the airport.
The airline currently has four Airbus A319s, with capacity for 156 passengers based at Glasgow International Airport, but from 23 July 2010 easyJet will base their first Airbus A320, with capacity for 180 passengers.
Glasgow International will be the first airport in Scotland to welcome an easyJet A320.
Glasgow will remain a four aircraft base for easyJet, as one of the existing Glasgow based A319s will move to London Gatwick as part of a direct swap for the larger A320.
The new aircraft will be used to operate the 06:00 flight to Stansted before returning to Glasgow to then operate flights to a mixture of holiday’s destinations including Alicante, Faro, Malaga and Palma. |  | | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Discover the world from Glasgow International | 18 May 2010 | A new summer flight guide is promising a world of opportunities for holidaymakers at Glasgow International Airport this summer.
Themed 'Discover the world from Glasgow', the new guide highlights the many worldwide destinations available direct from Glasgow International Airport, which is Scotland's gateway.
Sixty thousand copies of the guide are being distributed to the travel trade, local hotels and visitor attractions, and to homes in the west of Scotland.
The new summer programme sees the return of US Airways, flying daily from Glasgow to Philadelphia, one of America's fastest growing tourist destinations, and a popular mecca for shoppers lured by tax-free shopping.
Virgin Atlantic is stepping up its summer programme to Orlando, with 14 flights scheduled during the peak holiday season. The airline - one of the world's most successful - will operate a Boeing 747 aircraft on the route, the only passenger jumbo jet operating in Scotland.
Canadian Affair will offer Scotland's only direct flights to Canada, flying daily from Glasgow to Toronto, and weekly to Calgary and Vancouver.
This summer's hottest destinations are expected to include Cancun in Mexico, Turkey, Egypt and Bulgaria, offering fantastic family holidays at a fraction of the price of more traditional European resorts.
More than 15 new services will take off this summer, including flights to Cork and Donegal, operated by Aer Lingus Regional and Aer Arann respectively. Scotland's largest independent travel agency, Barrhead Travel, is also branching out into the airline market with its own brand flights and holiday packages to Barcelona and Palma, operated by British Airways. Sunways Holidays will also serve Barcelona this summer.
New operator Kiss Flights is launching flights to a dozen popular sunshine destinations, including Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Palma, Corfu, Dalaman, Heraklion, Rhodes and Paphos.
The UK's largest holiday airline Thomas Cook is adding an extra aircraft to its Glasgow base, bringing the total number of based aircraft to six, with 29 destinations on offer.
easyJet have confirmed they will replace an Airbus A319, the workhorse of their fleet, with an A320 aircraft on some routes from Glasgow this summer due to its additional seating capacity and longer range.
Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow International Airport, said: "After a very difficult year, demand is beginning to strengthen and we are delighted that so many of our holiday operators have responded to this growing demand with new and increased programmes for summer 2010.
"With flights to Canada, the US, the Caribbean, Europe and the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Gulf and Asia, Glasgow is Scotland's gateway. Our message is, if you want to see the world, the choice is clear. Fly from Glasgow."
The new summer guide includes up to date flight information, advice on how to get to the airport, and helpful hints to make your journey through the airport more enjoyable. | | | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Glasgow can be the solution to the 'Heathrow Problem' | 13 May 2010 | FlyGlasgow.net has welcomed the new Government’s thinking and fresh approach to the ‘Heathrow problem’. Scrapping proposals for a third runway at Heathrow, together with a desire to utilise underused assets, will mean a more balanced solution for the country as a whole, and more jobs and prosperity in the regions.
Glasgow International Airport is a Strategic National Asset which, with some new thinking, can easily form part of the solution to the 'Heathrow Problem'. There is spare capacity at Glasgow International; enough capacity to take another 10 million passengers immediately.
Glasgow International already has a runway capable of handling all types of aircraft, including the new Airbus A380. The whole country would benefit from using this existing piece of infrastructure; rather than wasting millions on a new runway at Heathrow.
You can build as many new runways in London as you want, the fact remains you cannot make the already congested skies over London any bigger.
Glasgow International could easily become the hub for the North of Britain. This would ease congestion in the Southeast while also distributing jobs and investment more equally across the country.
Passengers from all corners of Scotland and northwards from Manchester can reach Glasgow far quicker and easier than they can reach London Heathrow. It just needs people to think about their journey in a new way, and not to be bound by old habits.
Glasgow International is already Scotland’s international gateway and one of the busiest airports in Britain and there is no reason why Glasgow cannot be better utilised to become an even more important player in Britain’s airline industry.
In these difficult times it makes sense to use and sensibly improve the assets that you already have, rather than building entire new runways. Distributing the demand for International Gateways will benefit the entire country and Glasgow is a prime example this. | | | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | New bus service to link Glasgow International Airport with North Ayrshire | 12 May 2010 | A new bus service between Glasgow International Airport and North Ayrshire has launched this week.
It is the first direct public transport link between Glasgow International Airport and Ayrshire, despite nearly 10% of passengers originating there and 8% of staff making the journey on a regular basis.
Residents of Largs, Kilbirnie and Beith can now take advantage of Arriva's new 800 service, which will also call at Johnstone and Paisley.
The 800 launched on Monday and will initially operate from Monday to Saturday, with a journey time of around an hour and 20 minutes in each direction.
Arriva already operates the hugely successful Glasgow Flyer express service to the city centre which was voted Scotland's Best Bus Service at the Scottish Transport Awards in 2009.
Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow International Airport, said: "Hundreds of thousands of our passengers and staff travel to the airport from Ayrshire every year, and the new Arriva service will make it even easier for them to make that journey by public transport.
She added: "As we made clear in our Surface Access Strategy, we will continue to work with Transport Scotland, SPT and bus operators to improve transport links to the airport and encourage more people to use public transport."
Murray Rogers, Arriva's Commercial Development Manager, added: "We are confident this route will be a huge success as there is definitely a gap in the market for direct public transport links between Glasgow International Airport and Ayrshire.
"We are very keen that the service proves attractive to both members of the public and airport staff, and I am keen for people to provide us with any feedback on how we can improve the service going forward."
For timetable information, click here. |  | | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Work starts on Celebrity chef; Jamie Oliver's new Glasgow restaurant | 07 May 2010 | Work has started on Celebrity chef; Jamie Oliver’s new restaurant in Glasgow.
Jamie’s Italian, which will open in early July, is located in the newly refurbished Number 1 George Square, a prime location in the centre Scotland’s largest city.
The restaurant will take up the ground and lower-ground levels of the nine-storey building on the south side of George Square. It will feature an open kitchen with seating space for 250 diners and employ over 100 members of staff, including chefs, managers, and bar and waiting staff.
Jamie’s Italian is part of the £70 million redevelopment of the 1875 building. The frontage has been retained but a new building has been constructed behind it.
The restaurant will be Jamie Oliver’s first and only restaurant in Scotland. | 
| Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Glasgow now boasts Scotland's only direct flight to Derry | 06 May 2010 | With the news that Aer Arann has cancelled its plans for a new route from Edinburgh to Derry; Glasgow has, yet again, found itself as Scotland’s only departure point for another destination.
Aer Arann has taken the decision to cancel its proposed service from Derry to Edinburgh, as the route attracted poor bookings ahead of its indented launches on 20 May.
According to an Aer Arann statement; forward bookings over the summer for the route proved to be "very weak", with flights over the first weeks of the service booked only to a single digit load factor.
Ryanair’s long established and highly successful Glasgow to Derry route is now Scotland’s only direct air route to the Irish city, with up to four weekly flights.
Flights from Glasgow Prestwick to Derry can be booked online now from just £14 return, including tax at ryanair.com. | 
| Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Ryanair to axe Scotland's only direct flight to Hungary | 03 May 2010 | Irish budget airline Ryanair is to withdraw its flights from Glasgow Prestwick Airport to Budapest from October after failing to reach an agreement with Budapest Airport on a fees charged for using the airport.
Ryanair currently offer two flights a week from Glasgow Prestwick Airport to Hungary's largest city and the route is Scotland’s only direct flight to Hungary.
Alongside Glasgow Prestwick; Ryanair operate three other routes from Budapest Airport, all of which will be dropped from October.
Glasgow Prestwick Airport does not expect to lose any capacity due to this route being axed, as the route is operated by a Glasgow based aircraft and crew, it is expected that Ryanair will launch a new route replacing Budapest, or increase capacity on an existing route.
Earlier this year Ryanair based its seventh aircraft at the Glasgow Airport, from where they operate 26 European routes. |
| Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Scotland's first direct flight to the Cape Verde is set for take-off | 30 April 2010 | Thomson Airways, one of the words largest leisure airlines, is launching Scotland’s first ever direct flight to the Cape Verde, with a new route from Glasgow to Boa Vista.
The airline will operate the new flight every Sunday from 01 May 2011.
The new route is Scotland’s first and only direct flight to the Cape Verde islands, situated of Africa’s west cost.
A spokesperson for the Cape Verde tourist board said: "The Cape Verde islands are opening up to tourists, especially holidaymakers searching for a rich blend of fresh holiday experiences. Even the Cape Verde people are unique, being a cultural mix of their two nearest neighbours; Senegal and Brazil, this combination is most obvious in the ever-present Cape Verde music; a scintillating hip-swinging fusion of Samba and Salsa sprinkled with tribal African."
"If you enjoy fine beaches, beautiful scenery, vibrant cultures and have a sense of adventure Cape Verde will not disappoint."
With the addition of the Cape Verde, passengers can now fly direct to 116 worldwide destinations from Glasgow. No other Scottish airport offers such a great choice of destinations and throughout the United Kingdom, only London and Manchester offer more destinations.
This new route cements Glasgow’s position as Scotland’s gateway to the world and even more new routes are expected to be announced soon.
Flight TOM0716 will depart Glasgow International Airport at 07:00 and arrival in Boa Vista at 11:30.
The return flight; TOM0717 will depart Boa Vista at 12:40 and arrive at Glasgow International Airport at 20:55.
Flights to the Cape Verde can be booked online now from just £252.49, one-way, including tax at thomson.co.uk. | | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Four Glasgow hotels come out on top at national awards | 29 April 2010 | A hotel converted from one of Glasgow’s landmark buildings has been voted the best in Scotland; just five months after it opened.
Blythswood Square, which was once home to the Royal Scottish Automobile Club (RSAC), took the top prize at the Scottish Hotel of the Year Awards.
It comes only weeks after it was named one of the ‘hottest hotels’ in the world.
The new hotel boasts 100 guest rooms, a luxury spa, a fine-dining restaurant, two bars and conference rooms.
Last year, the premises were given a face-lift by hotel group The Town House Collection, with much of the original architectural features of the listed building preserved.
Gary McLean, chairman of the judges of the Scottish Hotel of the Year Awards, said: “Blythswood Square is a truly magnificent restoration of a landmark site and a tremendous asset to the city of Glasgow as well as the Scottish hospitality industry. Its style is timeless and it will not date.
“The restoration has presented huge challenges to its management but they have succeeded admirably.”
Blythswood Square’s managing director; Hans Rissman received the award at the ceremony on Sunday, which was attended by more than 400 of the country’s leading hoteliers and staff.
Last month, the hotel was named one of the “hottest in the world” by the prestigious international travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller.
The luxury hotel was one of only six in Britain to feature in the magazine’s list of the top 66 new places to stay around the globe.
Other winners at Sunday night’s awards included Craig Dunn, who is executive chef at the Michael Caines restaurant at Glasgow’s Abode Hotel in Bath Street.
Glasgow’s Jury’s Inn picked up the Premium Budget Hotel Award, and the Premier Inn in Glasgow City South, in Ballater Street, was named Budget Hotel of the Year. |
| Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Glasgow hotels continue to outperform the rest of the country | 27 April 2010 | Hotels in Glasgow are continuing to outperform the rest of the country and they have high hopes for a successful year.
Official figures show for the month of February, hotels in Glasgow reported a 2.7% increase in room occupancy, while the rest of the country recorded negative figures.
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau are pleased by the occupancy increase, and think the rest of the year will be very prosperous for the city’s hotel industry.
Chief Executive Scott Taylor said: “Looking at our forward booking diary, June and July are going to be very strong months, August is always traditionally busy and September will be our busiest on record.
“The conferences to take place in Glasgow until December will bring 63,600 delegates who will stay for 1/4 million room nights and bring in £68 million of business to Glasgow. And in September there is the Papal visit which will see 150,000 pilgrims come to Glasgow.
“Plus, with a weak pound versus a strong dollar and a strong euro, the number visitors from the US and Europe is expected to rise.” |
| Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | We're jammin! Direct flights to Jamaica set for take-off | 14 April 2010 | Thomson Airways, one of the words largest leisure airlines, is launching Scotland’s first ever direct flight to Jamaica, with a new route from Glasgow to Montego Bay.
The airline will operate the new service every Thursday from 03 March 2011 using a Glasgow based Boeing 767-300 series aircraft, offering first and economy class cabins.
The new route to Jamaica is Thomson Airways seventh long haul route from Glasgow International Airport, with the airline already offering year round flights direct to four Caribbean destinations.
Glasgow International Airport is Scotland’s only airport offering direct flights to the Caribbean, with flights on offer to a total of seven Caribbean destinations.
When you think of Jamaica you picture white beaches, grand plantation houses and gallons of golden rum and, of course, Bob Marley! But never before has Scotland had direct access to this tropical paradise.
Fly long haul with Thomson Airways and you get more legroom in economy than British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, bmi and Monarch. And that’s just for starters! Thomson Airways also offer all passengers seatback TVs that let you control what you watch and in-flight meals inspired by a top celebrity chef.
Flight TOM0332 will depart Glasgow International Airport at 09:55 and arrival in Montego Bay at 14:55.
The return flight; TOM0333 will depart Montego Bay at 16:30 and arrive in Glasgow International Airport at 07:45, the following morning. | | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Continental Airlines to introduce new BusinessFirst flat bed seat to Glasgow flights | 12 April 2010 | Continental Airlines, which flies direct from Glasgow International to New York Newark 365 days per year has unveiled its new BusinessFirst flat bed seat.
The flat bed seat made its operational debut in November 2009 and is currently being installed on Continental’s Boeing 757 and Boeing 777 fleets, which serve Glasgow International Airport.
The new seat, reclining 180 degrees and providing 6 feet and 4 inches of sleeping space in the fully extended position is one of the widest business class seats in the air.
Electronic controls enable passengers to easily move the seat to the custom position most comfortable for them. The seats also provide more individual storage space for personal items.
Laptop power, headset and USB plugs are conveniently tucked above the passengers shoulder.
iPod connectivity allows each passenger to view their personal videos and enjoy their music, all while their iPod is charging.
The new seats feature 15.4 inch video monitors for passengers to enjoy on-demand movies, music and games, and have a privacy shell that allows for seclusion from other travellers.
Bob Schumacher, Continental Airlines Senior Director for the United Kingdom and Ireland commented: “It’s a highly significant product development and shows how we are taking our award-winning BusinessFirst service to an even higher level.
The currently installation schedule indicates that Glasgow will start seeing the new sear regularly from the autumn".
Economy fares to New York are available from just £196 one-way, including tax, while BusinessFirst fares start from £1,000 one-way, including tax. Continental Airlines flights from Glasgow to New York can be booked at continental.com. | 
 | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Virgin Atlantic returns for seasonal service to Florida | 07 April 2010 | Virgin Atlantic has launched its seasonal service between Glasgow and Florida, with the first flight of the season taking-off last weekend.
The airline will fly up to five times per week direct from Glasgow International Airport to Orlando International Airport, with flights departing Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
All flights will be operated by a Boeing 747 (Jumbo jet) type aircraft.
FlyGlasgow last month exclusively revealed how Virgin Atlantic plan to increase their capacity at Glasgow International Airport in 2011, for more on this please see the news article from 3 March 2010 titled “Virgin Atlantic plan more flights from Glasgow for 2011”.
Glasgow International Airport is Scotland’s gateway to the United States with direct flights to seven US airports including Las Vegas, New York and Philadelphia. Throughout the United Kingdom, only London and Manchester offer more direct flights to the United States.
Virgin Atlantic flights from Glasgow to Orlando can be booked online now from just £419 return, including tax at virgin-atlantic.com | 
| Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Kiss Flights launch new base in Glasgow and announce more new routes | 06 April 2010 | Kiss Flights, a new and rapidly expanding start-up airline has launched its new base at Glasgow International Airport with six new routes taking-off this week.
The airline has based a Boeing 737-800 series aircraft at Glasgow International Airport with new routes starting this week to Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Malaga and Tenerife.
In June the airline will launch a further eight new routes from Glasgow International Airport, with flights taking-off bound for Alicante, Corfu, Dalaman, Heraklion, Kos, Paphos, Rhodes and Zante.
Kiss Flights have had remarkable growth at Glasgow International Airport within the last six months. In October 2009, the airline announced plans to operate its first and only route from Glasgow, with the destination of choice; Dalaman, Turkey.
However due to huge demand for flights from Scotland’s largest city, the airline now plans to operate fifteen routes from Glasgow International Airport.
As part of the launch of the new base, the airline announced another new route from the airport, this time to Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt.
Flights to Sharm el Sheikh will commence on 10 October 2010 with flights departing every Sunday.
Kiss Flights director Paul Moss said: "Kiss Flights are enjoying a period of strong growth and we are delighted to be able to offer these flights from Glasgow. Since the demise of FlyGlobespan we have had unprecedented requests from the travel trade to offer increased capacity from Glasgow."
Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow International Airport, said: "We are making good progress in our efforts to backfill the capacity lost by FlyGlobespan, and this latest announcement from Kiss Flights is further good news for passengers.
"We are determined to ensure that holidaymakers continue to have a wide choice of airlines and destinations from Glasgow International. Competition equals lower prices for travellers."
Kiss flights direct from Glasgow to fifteen European destinations can be booked now from just £70 return, including tax at kissflights.com. | | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | easyJet and Virgin Atlantic move terminals at Glasgow International | 04 April 2010 | easyJet, the largest airline at Glasgow International Airport, has moved its operations at the airport from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1.
As part of the move, all easyJet flights departing from Glasgow International Airport will now check-in at Terminal 1. The airline has also relocated its ticket sales and passengers services desks to Terminal 1.
While easyJet have moved to Terminal 1, Virgin Atlantic has moved in the opposite direction.
All Virgin Atlantic flights from Glasgow International Airport will now check-in at Terminal 2, where the airline has also relocated its ticket sales and passengers services desk.
easyJet and Virgin Atlantic’s terminal moves start with immediate effect.
To check which terminal your airline operates from, please check our “Airlines and Terminals” page. |
| Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Ryanair launch three new routes from Glasgow Prestwick Airport | 01 April 2010 | Glasgow Prestwick Airport emphasised its status as Scotland’s low-cost gateway to Europe this week with the launch of three new Ryanair routes.
Ryanair’s sixth based aircraft arrived in Glasgow this week for the launch of new flights to Carcassonne, Fuerteventura and Ibiza, bringing the number of destinations served from Glasgow Prestwick Airport to 31.
Flights to Carcassonne, Scotland’s only direct flight to the French city will operate every Monday, Wednesday and Sunday while flights to Fuerteventura are on offer every Monday and Friday, with flights to Ibiza departing every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
The three new routes are just the latest part of Ryanair’s recent rapid expansion from Glasgow Prestwick Airport. In December the airline launched four new routes from the airport and has since increased the frequency of flights on six existing routes.
FlyGlasgow has learned that Ryanair plan to base a seventh aircraft at Glasgow Prestwick Airport in the spring of next year.
Glasgow Prestwick Chief Executive Iain Cochrane said: “its sunsational! Glasgow Prestwick is number one for sun-loving Scots this spring and summer. Thanks to Ryanair, we’re providing people with punctual, reliable flights at the lowest prices in Scotland.”
Ryanair’s Maria Macken said: “Ryanair is delighted to welcome passengers on board its new routes from Glasgow Prestwick. Whether it’s clubbing in Ibiza, relaxing over a nice glass of French wine in Carcassonne or soaking up the sun in Fuerteventura, Ryanair has got it covered.” |
| Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Aer Lingus launch new flights from Glasgow to Cork and Dublin | 31 March 2010 | Aer Lingus, Ireland’s national airline, has launched its new route from Glasgow to Cork as well as tripling the number of flights on offer to Dublin.
The Dublin based airline now offers up to four return flights per day between Glasgow International and Dublin, giving customers on both sides of the Irish Sea the opportunity to complete a day’s business in either city before returning home that night.
With more flights now on offer to Dublin, the airline is able to offer onward connections to the United States, with one-stop flights now available from Glasgow to Chicago, Boston, New York and Orlando.
As well as more flights to Dublin, the airline is also offering a new daily flight direct from Glasgow International Airport to Cork.
Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow International Airport, said: "Ireland is one of Glasgow’s biggest overseas tourism markets, generating millions of pounds for the city’s economy, and a crucial trading centre for many Scottish exporters.
"The new and improved service will allow even greater opportunity for business and leisure travel between Scotland and Ireland, with increased frequency on the important Glasgow to Dublin route particularly good news."
Aer Lingus flights from Glasgow to Ireland can be booked online now from just £33 one-way, including tax, while onward flights to the United States can be booked from just £321 one-way, including tax. | | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Glasgow’s newest link to China is set for take-off | 30 March 2010 | Dutch airline KLM will operate the route to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport in Eastern China via Amsterdam.
The route launches on May 8 and means KLM will be the first airline to offer a direct service between Hangzhou in the east of China and Europe.
Glasgow International already offers daily flights to China, with Emirates Airlines flying onward from Dubai to Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
A spokesman for Glasgow International Airport said: “China and the Far East are important markets for Scottish business, particularly for Scotland’s exporters. It is a region with a huge potential for growth and access to these markets is critical for our own economic success.
“We will watch the demand for these new flights carefully to see if there is any potential for direct links from Glasgow to China. If the market suggests there is demand, this is certainly something we will pursue.”
KLM offer five return flights a day between Glasgow and Amsterdam, with onward connections available to over 115 worldwide destinations.
Hangzhou Airport is based on the southern bank of the Qiantang River in the Xiaoshan district, about two and half hours away from Shanghai. Surrounded by hills and tea plantations, it is described as “one of China’s most serene cities”, which tourism bosses say is perfect for a relaxing getaway. |  | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Aer Arann take off from Glasgow International Airport | 29 March 2010 | Aer Arann has marked the first departure of its Glasgow International to Donegal service, replacing the airline’s previous Glasgow Prestwick route.
Flights will initially operate three days a week; Wednesday, Friday and Sunday with a fourth weekly flight on a Saturday being added in May.
Aer Arann Corporate Affairs Director Andrew Kelly said; “There has been a positive response from passengers, with booking numbers stronger than this period last year and we look forward to even further growth when the increased frequency begins in May”.
Scott Taylor, Chief Executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, added: "The new service from Donegal has a clear fit with friends and family hopping between Donegal and Glasgow, and with events like the World Irish Dancing championships taking place in the city this year, it’s a perfect opportunity to bring the whole family to experience a major event celebrating the cultural links between the Celts.
Aer Arann flights from Glasgow International to Donegal can be booked online now from just £35 one-way, including tax at aerarann.com |  | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Saudi prince reckons Glasgow is the best place to shop | 26 March 2010 | The Saudi Royal Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the 18th richest man in the world with a fortune worth £19.4 billion, wandered up Buchanan Street with a 20-strong entourage, having decided it would be nice to pop over to Glasgow last week for a late afternoon’s shopping.
When he left, much of the space in his 10 people-carriers was filled with his purchases from the likes of French Connection and Moda In Pelle.
Flash back almost 25 years and all signs suggested the street was going nowhere, a roadway lined with crumbling hotels and tatty shops. Now, however, the street is a shopper’s paradise.
“Buchanan Street is the place to be,” said Sarah Stuart of Glasgow’s City Marketing Bureau. “In spite of the recession it has continued to thrive.”
It was announced last week that American fashion giants Abercrombie & Fitch are set to move into the building once occupied by booksellers Borders. Abercrombie & Fitch have only three retail outlets in the whole of Europe, and to attract such a brand highlights the rise of the city as a retail destination.
“This is a massive coup for Glasgow’s Style Mile and Buchanan Street in particular,” said Ms Stuart. “But it’s only part of the movement forward. It’s been suggested Abercrombie & Fitch may also bring their sister store, Hollister, into Buchanan Galleries and at the same time All Saints may also take up a place in the Borders unit.
“Meanwhile, a major Spanish store, COS, is set to move into Princes Square. In recent times we’ve watched as designer shops such as Cath Kidston have opened up in Princes Square and become very successful.
“What this tells you is that the major stores see Glasgow as hugely important. They all want to be associated with the city. And Buchanan Street is the perfect shopping destination.”
“Over the past 10 years we’ve seen the growth of retail strategy, with inward investment, and the Initiative is working closely with retailers. We’re continuing to work on the likes of Buchanan Street with our Action Plan, which will involve establishing Gateway Points, so people will recognise the shopping area they are in, marketing campaigns to attract visitors and currently we’re looking at the feasibility of later opening hours, which will help the city centre compete with the out-of-town shopping outlets.”
Buchanan Street now attracts 1.6 million shoppers a week, firmly cementing Glasgow’s position as the second most successful retail centre in the UK, after London’s West End.
Reproduced with the permission of the Herald and Times Group. |
| Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Thomas Cook Airlines to base seventh aircraft at Glasgow International | 23 March 2010 | Thomas Cook Airlines has announced plans to base a seventh aircraft at Glasgow International Airport for the full summer season, with an eighth aircraft being based for the peak season.
Thomas Cook’s seventh based aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, operated by Travel Service with 189 seats, will provide increased capacity on existing routes to Corfu, Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Mahon, Palma and Rhodes.
An eighth aircraft, a Airbus A330, will be based at the airport for June and July will provide extra long haul capacity for flights to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Florida, Las Vegas and Mexico.
The airlines eight Glasgow based aircraft include four Boeing 757’s, one Airbus A320, one Boeing 737-800 and two Airbus A330’s. This is a substantial increase from summer 2009, when the airline based four Boeing 757’s and one Airbus A330.
Thomas Cook Airlines fly direct to 37 worldwide destinations from Glasgow International Airport, carrying up to 3 million passengers per year.
Flights and holidays can be booked online now via the official Thomas Cook website. | 
| Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Glasgow possible destination for Qatar Airways by 2013 | 17 March 2010 | Qatar Airways, one of the world’s leading airlines, has announced that it plans to double in size by 2013 and that Glasgow is a possible future destination.
The airline, which currently flies to 86 worldwide destinations from its hub in Doha, expects to grow this number to 120 by 2013.
Qatar Airways came close to announcing flights to Glasgow International Airport late in 2009, as the city was short-listed as one of a number of possible new European destinations. However the Middle Eastern airline opted for Barcelona and Copenhagen instead.
Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive, said: “Qatar Airways is demonstrating its continued commitment to growth. As our fleet increases, we are able to raise capacity on existing services and introduce new routes, which is continuing as planned despite the industry facing challenges amid the current global economic climate.” |  | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Emirates add new connections to Dakar and Tokyo | 09 March 2010 | Emirates, one of the world’s fastest-growing airlines has announced plans for new flights to Dakar, Senegal and Tokyo, Japan.
The airline will launch flights to Tokyo on 28 March 2010 with flights operating every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Flight time from Glasgow to Tokyo will be just 19 hours and 45 minutes, including a short stop in Dubai.
Emirates will launch a second new route, this time to Dakar in Senegal on 01 September 2010 with flights operating every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Flight time from Glasgow to Dakar will be just 16 hours, including a short stop in Dubai.
These new global connections from Dubai are excellent news for Scottish passengers, giving customers more choice when flying to these exciting destinations while also cutting flying time between Glasgow and the two cities by as much as 7 hours. Not to forget the convenience of more non-London orientated connections.
Flights from Glasgow to Dakar and Tokyo are available to book now from just £540 return, including tax. | 
| Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | | Virgin Atlantic plan more flights from Glasgow for 2011 | 03 March 2010 | Virgin Atlantic’s love for Glasgow appears to have no boundaries as the carrier again plans to increase the number of flights on offer from the city.
Currently the airline offer up to five departures per week direct to Orlando, Florida, during the school Easter and summer holidays. However from April 2011, Virgin Atlantic plans to operate a permanent schedule of flights.
Virgin Atlantic has confirmed that flight from Glasgow International to Orlando International will operate twice weekly, every week, from early April to late October. The airline has also confirmed all flights to and from Glasgow will be operated by a Boeing 747-400 type aircraft.
FlyGlasgow can reveal that should advanced bookings prove popular, Virgin Atlantic will have the capacity to add a third weekly flight, for the entire season.
Virgin Atlantic launched flights from Glasgow International Airport in 2007 and has since then increased capacity from the airport every year.
Flights for 2011 will not be on sale until 12 months in advance of departure date; however package holidays for summer 2011 to Florida flying with Virgin Atlantic from Glasgow can be booked now with Virgin Holidays. |
| Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | Kiss Flights add fourteenth new route from Glasgow International Airport | 27 February 2010 | Kiss Flights, a new and rapidly expanding start-up airline, which, in January 2010 announced plans for a new base at Glasgow International Airport with 13 routes, has today added its fourteenth route from the airport, this time to the Spanish city of Alicante.
The Glasgow based airline will operate the new service every Saturday using a Boeing 737-800 type aircraft which will be based at Glasgow International Airport.
FlyGlasgow can exclusively reveal that BAA has held meetings with Kiss Flights this week in Glasgow and a BAA Glasgow Spokesperson commented; “Expect announcements on extra Glasgow International capacity soon.”
Kiss Flights director Paul Moss said: "Kiss Flights are enjoying a period of strong growth and we are delighted to be able to offer these flights from Glasgow.
Since the demise of FlyGlobespan we have had unprecedented requests from the travel trade to offer increased capacity from Glasgow."
Kiss flights from Glasgow to Alicante, Corfu, Dalaman, Faro, Fuerteventura, Heraklion, Lanzarote, Las Palmas, Malaga, Palma, Paphos, Rhodes, Tenerife and Zante are on sale now from just £70 return, including tax at kissflights.com | | Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | Glasgow top for conferences for fourth consecutive year | 25 February 2010 | Glasgow City Marketing Bureau has been named the UK’s Best Convention Bureau for the fourth year in a row.
In a poll for the influential industry magazine Meetings & Incentive Travel, Glasgow took the top title ahead of Newcastle Gateshead Convention Bureau, Yorkshire South Tourism and Conference Torquay at RICC.
Previous contenders London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham failed to make the shortlist in the category this year.
There was more good news last night when the Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre (SECC) took silver in the Best UK Conference Centre category.
The awards are considered highly prestigious because they are voted for by more than 3,000 meetings industry professionals and were presented at a gala dinner last night (Feb 22) at the Novotel London West Hotel attended by more than 600 industry leaders from around the world.
Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, commented: “As an industry-led accolade, the M&IT Award is a clear endorsement of the confidence that the meetings industry has in Glasgow.
“For GCMB to have won this award four years in a row clearly demonstrates that Glasgow leads the way in the UK conference market.
“In the last year we have secured conventions business valued at more than £100 million in economic benefit for Glasgow and Scotland.
“Developing our conventions industry will continue to form an integral part of Glasgow’s economic strategy.”
Ben Goedegebuure, Director of Sales of the SECC, said: “Meetings & Incentive Travel magazine represents key buyers of conferences and exhibitions across the UK and beyond; our success in these awards is testament to the continually high standard of events we put on in Glasgow.”
Latest figures from the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) show that in 2008, Glasgow was the UK’s international conference capital, attracting more international delegates than any other British city. |
| Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News | Ryanair to build new maintenance hangar at Glasgow Prestwick | 10 February 2010 | Ryanair, Glasgow’s largest airline, today (10 February 2010) announced that it will build a second maintenance hangar at Glasgow Prestwick Airport at a cost of £8 million, which will create 200 new engineering jobs, increasing the total jobs sustained by Ryanair in Glasgow to over 2,400.
The facility, which is due to open in October 2010, was announced at Glasgow Prestwick Airport by Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond and Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary.
The Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Glasgow Prestwick Airport secured this 6,000 sq/m hangar investment despite intense competition from five other Ryanair bases throughout Europe.
By securing this new investment Glasgow Prestwick Airport has helped to create over 400 engineering and support jobs between the two hangars, which will maintain a large portion of Ryanair’s 210 aircraft fleet.
Ryanair recently announced that they will base a sixth aircraft at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, with three new routes to Carcassonne, Fuerteventura and Ibiza launching later this year.
Ryanair fly to 29 European destinations from Glasgow, carrying over 2 million passengers per year to and from the airport.
FlyGlasgow has learned that Ryanair are in talks with Glasgow Prestwick Airport to base a seventh aircraft at the airport by the summer, however nothing has yet been confirmed.
For the latest on this and all other news from Glasgow’s Airline Industry, check back with FlyGlasgow frequently. |
| Glasgow Airport News. All the latest news and route developments from Glasgow Airport. | Glasgow Airline News |
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