GLASGOW Airport has reported an increase in passenger numbers for the fifth consecutive month with almost 600,000 people passing through the airport in May 2011. Passenger numbers rose by 7% in May 2011 to 599,728 compared to the same period last year, with domestic traffic up 6.5% and international up 7.5%.

A strong demand for both domestic and international flights coupled with the decision by a number of carriers to add extra capacity ensured the airport continued its best start to a year since 2007. Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, said: “It is always encouraging to be able to report an increase in passenger numbers, but given the unpredictability of the aviation industry the real challenge will be to maintain this pattern of steady growth”.

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LOW cost airline Jet2.com has announced a “one-off” direct service from Glasgow to New York this winter – perfect for a Christmas shopping experience you’ll never forget. The winter offer, which starts on November 17, includes flights returning on November 21, in-flight meals, airport car parking and three-star hotel accommodation at an amazing £599 per person. For more info www.jet2.com

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GLASGOW Airport has unveiled its comprehensive 2011 Summer Flight Guide which includes details on five new routes and extra flights to a further 13 destinations. Some of the highlights of the summer guide include Thomson’s new direct flight to Cape Verde in West Africa, while Thomas Cook has confirmed it will fly to Izmir, Turkey and Kefalonia, Greece.

Royal Caribbean has also introduced a flight to Venice and Jet2.com, which only arrived at Glasgow Airport in March 2011, will fly to Nice as well as six other popular sun spots. Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, said: “We’re looking forward to what promises to be a busy summer period and the addition of five new routes is fantastic news for the airport as it help strengthens our offering to passengers.”

The new summer guide also includes up-to-date flight information, advice on how to get to the airport, and useful information on where to park, shop and relax. To download a copy of the guide, visit www.glasgowairport.com

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SEEING the world from Glasgow Airport is about to become a whole lot easier for many people with the completion of a new motorway link. The M74 completion scheme joins up South Lanarkshire and other areas to the east and south of the city to the M8, cutting journey times for people getting to the airport by car.

Which is good news for you if you’re jetting off to one of the 90 direct routes from Glasgow Airport. It means less time travelling and more time on your holiday! The world just got a little closer to home. The road will be a three-lane motorway with hard shoulders, locally reducing to two lanes with a hard shoulder at the connecting link between the M74 and the M8. There will be three full four-way junctions at Fullarton Road, Cambuslang Road and Polmadie Road, with a two-way junction at Kingston.

Infrastructure Secretary, Alex Neil encouraged drivers to prepare themselves for the opening of the new motorway: “When the M74 Completion scheme opens to traffic in three weeks time, eight months ahead of schedule, it will bring real improvements for drivers including 5-10 minute savings in peak hour journeys across Glasgow and a reduction in traffic on the busy M8 and from local roads in Glasgow and South Lanarkshire.” The new motorway link will be opened to traffic on June 28 by the Duke of Gloucester at a special ceremony.

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A stylish new food hall and contemporary café bar opens it doors at Glasgow Airport. Glasgow Airport has reached a significant milestone in its multi-million investment programme with the launch of a contemporary new food hall. Delaware North Companies (UK), the award winning company responsible for catering services at both the new Wembley and Emirates Stadiums, was appointed to design and manage the new units which include a sports bar and grill, a deli, and buffet style restaurant and café bar.

The refurbished units, which are located on the first floor of the main terminal building and the ground floor international arrivals area, seat approximately 324 and 78 customers respectively. Amanda McMillan, Managing Director at Glasgow Airport said: “We are delighted, in Delaware North Companies (UK), to have such an iconic brand at Glasgow Airport. The new outlets look fantastic and whether its business coffees, farewell glasses of wine or a relaxed family meal, the new food hall has been cleverly designed to cater to the needs of all airport visitors.

Simon Dobson, UK Managing Director of Delaware North (UK) said: “We are delighted and proud to have worked in partnership with the BAA team at Glasgow Airport. These new innovative service concepts will offer great food and a prompt service to meet the needs of all visitors to the airport. We have nearly a century of hospitality experience from across the globe and we are looking forward to a long and successful partnership with Glasgow International Airport.”

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BUDGET airline easyJet has announced the launch of a new route from Glasgow to Amsterdam. The new service, which is expected to attract both business and leisure passengers, will begin operating from October 31 2011. The announcement follows a host of good new stories from the low cost airline. In the past month, easyJet has announced a new route to Jersey, upgraded an aircraft to create 40,000 extra seats for domestic and international routes and rescheduled its timetable to add an early morning service to its London Gatwick route. For flight info visit www.easyjet.co.uk

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