Glasgow Airport not yet returned to pre-pandemic capacity, bosses say

The number of holidaymakers passing through Glasgow Airport is still below pre-pandemic levels.

Bosses say they are currently operating at 86% of pre-Covid capacity.

They are joining Labour's calls for the Scottish Government to prioritise connecting Scotland with the rest of the world, after loosing key routes to North America.

Speaking ahead of a visit to Glasgow Airport today, leader Anas Sarwar urged ministers to "sell brand Scotland to the world".

Competition for airlines has increased as many companies folded or cut routes during the pandemic - meaning airports have to fight for business.

'Hugely competitive market'

Communications director Brian McClean said: "We're currently operating at 86% of the capacity we enjoyed before the pandemic.

"We're operating in what is a hugely competitive marketplace.

"A number of airlines retired aircrafts or didn't make it through the pandemic, so you've got the same number of airports trying to attract a smaller pool of airlines.

"Glasgow is the economic powerhouse of Scotland,

"There's an important link between the city and the airport - when one does well, so does the other,

"We really need to work hand and glove with our city, national, and political partners to attract airlines back to Glasgow.

"We're very much looking forward to welcoming Anas to the airport because it's an opportunity to reinforce the important role the airport plays in supporting the wider Glasgow city region."

'Gateway to our economy'

Anas Sarwar has said the Scottish Government must come up with a plan to revive the fortunes of the country's airports.

"Scotland's airports are the gateway to our economy, but years of government failure has pushed them to breaking point," Mr Sarwar said.

"This damaging drop in connectivity in Glasgow and across Scotland is consistent with the SNP's record in government - one of managed decline and economic failure.

"The SNP is choking off Scotland's potential by letting our connectivity collapse.

"Without a focus on route development connecting Scotland to the rest of the world, our tourism and hospitality sectors risk declining.

"It's all too clear that SNP inaction is holding Scotland back and disconnecting Scotland from the rest of the world. We need to sell Brand Scotland to the world, not turn our backs to the opportunities that exist.

"Our airports are key to us unleashing our economic potential and taking our place on the world stage - we urgently need a plan to get them back on track."

'Committed to working with Scotland's airports'

Transport minister Kevin Stewart said: "We are committed to working with Scotland's airports to help restore and grow our international connectivity, while not returning to previous levels of emissions.

"Our role is complementary to that of airports who have the primary responsibility for securing new routes and working with airlines to make them sustainable.

"We take a partnership approach with Transport Scotland, VisitScotland and Scottish Development International, working with airports and airlines to provide attractive cooperative marketing packages, market intelligence and data promoting the potential of the Scottish market and connectivity with industry."

He said the Scottish Government has "helped to attract numerous new routes in recent years, including to key markets and hubs in North America, the Middle East and Europe", citing new routes from Edinburgh to Atlanta in the US and Calgary in Canada.

He added: "This Scottish Government values the importance of our airports and is committed to further promoting Scotland as an attractive destination for airlines and travellers."

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