Panel Event
The panel for Glasgow Chamber and Virgin Atlantic’s event on the regional benefits of the Heathrow expansion
Connecting Scotland to the world
Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Virgin Atlantic, invited members to an evening panel discussion on the regional benefits of the London Heathrow Airport expansion
T
he event’s host, Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Stuart Patrick, began by recognising that direct flights from Glasgow Airport are of
huge importance but that we need more of them to keep up with the aspirations of Scottish businesses. Glasgow Airport’s Head of Communications and Public Affairs, Brian McClean, agreed that regular flights between Scotland’s airports and Heathrow are vital for improving Scotland’s domestic and international connectivity, particularly those Scottish businesses wanting to reach global markets. Nathan Stower, External Affairs
Director at Virgin Atlantic, shared his thoughts on how more competition on a third runway at an expanded Heathrow Airport could benefit Scotland. Virgin Atlantic recently launched its campaign to become Britain’s second national flag carrier to increase choice and competition for passengers, while also reducing the cost of flying for millions of passengers looking to connect with the rest of Europe and the world. Some of those Scottish businesses with sky-rocketing aspirations joined
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www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com
in the panel debate. Laura Birrell, founder of Sticky Heelz, who sits on the Scottish Government’s Trade and Investment Board, explained that the cost of flights is a significant barrier to business growth in Scotland. A lack of choice on routes and timetables saw her travel for three days to get to one meeting in Virginia. Mark Hogarth, Creative Director at
Harris Tweed Hebrides, pointed out that getting to Glasgow from the Outer Hebrides is already difficult and that onward connections to the rest of the world need to be up to standard. Increased connectivity is hugely important, but it works both ways; despite exporting all over the world, Harris Tweed has identified Edinburgh as its biggest market thanks to inbound tourists picking up merchandise. While the panel broadly agreed on the importance of improving Scotland’s connectivity, they were also challenged on a number of issues. The Scotsman’s Transport Correspondent Alistair Dalton questioned whether we are paying enough for flights given their significant environmental impact. Environmental issues are something that impacts on all businesses in one way or another and
Hogarth pointed out the fashion industry is the third biggest polluter. From Glasgow Airport’s perspective, McClean explained that one significant issue is that vehicles arriving and leaving from the airport make up 35 per cent of the airport’s emissions – an important issue to be considered. Connectivity to and from Glasgow Airport itself was also raised by guests in the audience. As the panel discussed the benefits a second flag carrier at an expanded Heathrow Airport would bring to Scotland, several representatives of local businesses turned the conversation towards the practicalities of new international business destinations connecting via Heathrow to Glasgow only to struggle to get the right transport into the city centre. A number of solutions were debated and it’s clear that this will be a priority for the business community in the coming months, especially for the arrival of delegates in Glasgow for COP26 in November. What was clear from this debate is
the pivotal role that increasing Scottish connectivity around the globe holds in the Glasgow business community which is always looking for new opportunities.
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