Glasgow Airport reports largest ever annual passenger increase
Over the past 12 months the airport announced 30 new routes and services, significantly strengthened its connections to major European cities and cemented its position as Scotland’s principal long haul airport. The new services led to uplifts in both international and domestic traffic over the year – up by 16.8% and 9% respectively. The airport was also classified as one of the fastest growing airports in Europe by airport trade body ACI Europe.
More than 569,000 people travelled through the airport in December 2015 – an increase of 10.1% on 2014 figures – seeing the airport report its busiest December on record. International traffic grew by 16.4% while domestic was up by 5.3%.
Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “2015 was exceptional in so many respects and we start our golden anniversary year in an incredibly strong position.
“Welcoming an additional one million passengers through our doors last year was a huge accomplishment, but by far the most pleasing aspect was the extent to which we bolstered our connections to European cities such as Budapest, Prague, Milan and Bucharest.
“2016 marks the airport’s 50th anniversary and we are determined to ensure this year makes the history books. Over the coming months we will welcome two major flag carriers in the form of Air Canada Rouge and Air France, and a new service to Montreal will commence with Air Transat. With these airlines, and others, coming on board we anticipate that 2016 will be our busiest year ever - topping nine million passengers for the first time in our history and putting us on a trajectory towards 10 million.
“As well as developing our growing route network, we will also continue to invest in our terminal and facilities in 2016 and will shortly unveil details of our terminal redevelopment plan.”
December’s performance ensured Glasgow Airport ended what was a hugely successful year on a high. As well as announcing a new daily service to Paris Charles de Gaulle with Air France starting in March, new services to Milan, Salzburg and Bucharest got underway, and Virgin Atlantic announced it will begin a new service to Orlando for winter 2016.
In 2015 Glasgow Airport secured three major industry accolades – UK Airport of the Year, Scottish Airport of the Year and the Best Airport in the UK with 3 -10 million passengers. Throughout the year, 99.21% of passengers travelled through security in under 10 minutes.
SNP MSP Derek Mackay welcomed the recently reported passenger growth at Glasgow Airport, which is in his constituency of Renfrewshire North & West.
Mr Mackay, the MSP for Glasgow Airport, said: “It is encouraging to see passenger numbers growing at Glasgow Airport yet again in what was a very successful year for the Airport.
“To have an additional one million passengers is a huge achievement and is testament to the hard work of all the Airport staff.
“With dozens of new routes announced for 2016, and the new eastern pier which I opened at the end of last year, the ever growing passenger numbers show no signs of dwindling.
“Glasgow Airport is going from strength to strength which is good news for the whole of Renfrewshire.
“The Airport is a vital part of the local economy and any increase in passenger numbers has a positive knock on effect throughout the area.”