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City 'skyhub' plans take flight City 'skyhub' plans take flight
(about 23 hours later)
Details of a "radical" multi-million pound revamp of Glasgow Airport's terminal building are to be announced. Plans for a "radical" multi-million pound revamp of Glasgow Airport's terminal building have been unveiled.
The "skyhub" project aims to significantly increase passenger capacity and is due for completion in the autumn of 2008.The "skyhub" project aims to significantly increase passenger capacity and is due for completion in the autumn of 2008.
Airport operator BAA said it would be the biggest single investment by BAA Glasgow since the early 1990s.Airport operator BAA said it would be the biggest single investment by BAA Glasgow since the early 1990s.
Last October, BAA set out a £290m 25-year plan to transform the site, including a £25m terminal expansion.Last October, BAA set out a £290m 25-year plan to transform the site, including a £25m terminal expansion.
The firm wants to focus on the terminal and airfield facilities needed by 2030, when passenger volume is forecast to treble to more than 24 million. The new project aims to reduce security waiting times, increase capacity in the terminal and offer passengers a wider choice of shops, bars and restaurants.
The airport currently handles about 8.8 million passengers a year. Gordon Dewar, managing director of Glasgow Airport said: "Skyhub is the biggest single investment by BAA in Glasgow Airport for a generation and underlines BAA's long term commitment to the airport.
This expansion will allow us to concentrate our security search areas in one location, freeing up a huge amount of additional capacity within the terminal Gordon DewarManaging directorGlasgow Airport
"It is an exciting, ambitious project which puts the interests of passengers first. We want to make the journey through Glasgow Airport as safe, smooth and enjoyable as we can for all our passengers, delivering better service not just for today, but for the next generation of travellers."
Work will start later this month on the 4,000 sq metre development, which is expected to take 18 months to complete.
The two storey development will provide additional seating capacity on the ground floor, as well as new shops and restaurants, and a new purpose-built security search area on the first floor, through which all departing passengers will pass.
This will replace the existing three security zones (international, domestic and east pier) which will later be converted for use as retail, lounge and other passenger facilities.
Paramount importance
The new search area will have capacity for up to 14 x-ray machines, four more than at present.
The development will also include a flagship World Duty Free store open to all departing passengers.
Mr Dewar added: "This expansion will allow us to concentrate our security search areas in one location, freeing up a huge amount of additional capacity within the terminal.
"This is particularly important during the busy summer months when Glasgow Airport can expect to handle over one million passengers in a single month.
"Security, for any airport, is of paramount importance and as passenger numbers increase, it's important that we are able to screen passengers quickly and safely.
"Our aim, ultimately, will be to reduce the amount of time passengers wait in security lines and, in the process, deliver a better customer experience for our growing number of passengers."