Glasgow Business . 29
www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com
information with Scotish Government agencies as part of overall transport planning for major events and in developing strategic policies relevant to the growth of the Scotish economy. Such information can and will include an outline of negotiations with airlines – airlines that might also be targeted to help improve the viability of Prestwick Airport. Mr Patrick said: “Contributing to Glasgow Chamber’s questions is the fact that there is no explicit national strategy on aviation. We don’t know what Ministers’ preferences are for the growth of airports across Scotland.” He said that he does not know the Scotish Government’s thinking on the relative performance of airports across the Central Belt, or what impact that would have on the economic development of major cities. He added: “We’re not aware of any thoughtful study within the Government on the economic development role of our airports in the growth of key industries such as whisky, engineering or life sciences.
“The success of Glasgow Airport as its primary business airport is critical to the growth of the city economy”
“We’re not aware of any proper assessment of the importance of airports in atracting investment to individual cities and how the location of airports skews where business investments are located.” He said taking the view that the development of airports was the business of airport managements and suggesting that there was not a role for government policy on such an issue was possible in the previous situation, with each of the airports in private hands. “Now everything has changed,” Mr Patrick said. “Te success of Glasgow Airport as its primary business airport is critical to the growth of the city economy. “Tere are few more important issues for the future of all our businesses.” Several factors make this an even more pressing issue. It comes
just aſter Glasgow has lost access to London with the withdrawal of the bmi route from Glasgow Airport to London Heathrow, making it much more difficult for Glasgow-based business people to connect with many overseas markets.
Tere is no likelihood of Glasgow’s connections to another hub airport exceeding those to Heathrow, even with the withdrawal of the bmi flights. Te Scotish Government’s decision and the questions it raises for Glasgow Airport comes just at a time when the city is going to receive a major influx of tourists with the Commonwealth Games, MTV and the Ryder Cup. Mr Patrick said: “One of the biggest legacies that everyone has been planning for is a big increase in inbound tourism – but that will
only happen if the flights are there to support it. “Te third major issue is the importance of an international airport and major investment decisions. In the long run for Scotland, if we want to have the right connections in place to encourage investment, the airport is vital to that – not a side issue.” Glasgow Airport has been
making important strides, with 10 consecutive months of passenger growth and a series of new routes, including Luſthansa to Düsseldorf and recently announced Europe Airpost flights to Halifax in Canada. Mr Patrick said: “Add all these issues together and we are into fundamental questions, not just on the future of Glasgow Airport, but the whole Glasgow economy. Tat is why we’re asking our questions of the Scotish Government.” Glasgow Chamber has – at the time of going to press – had meetings with management from Prestwick Airport and Glasgow International Airport. Te Deputy First Minister has agreed to meet with the Chamber and a meeting date is being arranged.
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