Runways At Glasgow Airport: How Many Are There?

Glasgow Airport, also known as Glasgow International Airport, is located in Paisley, Renfrewshire, 8.6 nautical miles west of Glasgow city centre. The airport has a rich history, dating back to 1932 when the site was used by the Royal Air Force. It was officially opened in 1966, initially offering flights only within the United Kingdom and Europe. Over the years, Glasgow Airport has undergone significant developments and expansions to accommodate the increasing passenger demand. As of 2025, the airport is owned and operated by AGS Airports and serves over seven million passengers annually. Glasgow Airport currently has one runway, which is 2661 metres long.

Glasgow Airport's history

Glasgow Airport, also known as Glasgow International Airport, is located in Paisley, Renfrewshire, 8.6 nautical miles west of Glasgow city centre. The airport is owned and operated by AGS Airports, which also owns and operates Aberdeen and Southampton airports. Glasgow Airport was opened in 1966, with flights operating to other places in the United Kingdom and Europe.

The history of the airport dates back to 1932, when the site at Abbotsinch, between the Black Cart Water and the White Cart Water, was opened. In 1933, the Royal Air Force 602 Squadron (City of Glasgow) Auxiliary Air Force moved its Westland Wapiti IIA aircraft to the site. The RAF Station HQ was formed on 1 July 1936 when 6 Auxiliary Group, Bomber Command arrived.

In 1940, a torpedo training unit was formed, which trained both RAF and Royal Navy crews under RAF Coastal Command. The airbase was transferred to the Admiralty in 1943 and became known as Royal Naval Air Station Abbotsinch, or RNAS Abbotsinch. During the 1950s, the airfield housed a large aircraft storage unit and squadrons of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.

The Royal Navy left in October 1963, and the following year, Glasgow Corporation decided that a new airport was required to replace Renfrew Airport, the original main airport serving Glasgow. The new airport, designed by Basil Spence, was completed in 1966, with British European Airways beginning services using De Havilland Comet aircraft. The first commercial flight to arrive was a British European Airways flight from Edinburgh, landing at 8 am on 2 May 1966. The airport was officially opened on 27 June 1966 by Queen Elizabeth II.

In 1975, the British Airports Authority (BAA) took ownership of Glasgow Airport. BAA embarked on a redevelopment plan in 1989, which included extending the terminal building and adding a dedicated international departure lounge. By 1996, Glasgow Airport was handling over 5.5 million passengers per annum, making it the fourth-largest airport in the UK.

In the early 1990s, Glasgow Airport became the first in the UK, and one of the first in Europe, to screen all baggage, following the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie in 1988.

Today, Glasgow Airport serves a variety of destinations in Canada, Europe, and the Middle East. The airport has two terminals and one runway, which is 2661 metres long. It is accessible by road, with direct access to the adjoining M8 motorway, and by bus, with a frequent bus service to the city centre.

The 2007 terrorist attack

Glasgow Airport, also known as Glasgow International Airport, has one runway.

On 30 June 2007, a terrorist attack took place at Glasgow Airport. A Jeep Cherokee loaded with propane canisters was driven at the glass doors of the airport terminal and set on fire. The car's occupants were identified as Bilal Abdullah, a British-born doctor of Iraqi descent, and Kafeel Ahmed, an Indian-born engineer. Ahmed was the driver and was severely burnt in the fire that ensued. Abdullah threw petrol bombs from the passenger seat and later fought with police officers.

The attack took place a day after the failed car bomb attacks in London, and a close link was quickly established between the two incidents. The Glasgow attack was the first terrorist incident in Scotland since the Lockerbie bombing in 1988. It also occurred three days after Gordon Brown, a Scottish MP, was appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

The Jeep struck security bollards outside the main terminal, preventing it from entering the building where there were 4,000 people. The car failed to explode, and the two men fled the vehicle before being apprehended by police officers, airport security, and members of the public. Five members of the public were injured during the attack, none seriously.

Abdullah was later found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Ahmed died from his injuries on 2 August 2007.

The airport was evacuated and all flights were suspended following the attack. The main terminal reopened the next day, and normal operations resumed within 24 hours.

The airport's owners and operators

Glasgow Airport, also known as Glasgow International Airport, is owned and operated by AGS Airports Limited. AGS Airports was formed in September 2014 by Ferrovial, a Spanish firm specialising in the design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of transport infrastructure, and Macquarie Group, an Australian company composed of diversified financial services. Both companies own a 50% stake in AGS Airports.

AGS Airports acquired Glasgow Airport in December 2014 from Heathrow Airport Holdings (formerly known as BAA), which had owned the airport since 1975. Before BAA, the airport was owned by Glasgow Corporation, which was responsible for its operation.

AGS Airports is led by CEO Andy Cliffe, who has extensive experience in the aviation industry, previously spending 19 years with the Manchester Airports Group. The company also has a dedicated team of executives overseeing the day-to-day operations of Glasgow Airport and the wider AGS group.

In addition to Glasgow Airport, AGS Airports also owns and operates Aberdeen and Southampton airports in the United Kingdom. The company prioritises the development and ownership of essential infrastructure and has experience in the aviation sector, with Ferrovial having invested in 32 airports across the world, and Macquarie being the world's largest infrastructure manager.

Glasgow Airport's ranking in Scotland and the UK

Glasgow Airport, also known as Glasgow International Airport, is located in Paisley, Renfrewshire, 8.6 nautical miles west of Glasgow city centre. It is an international airport in Scotland, owned and operated by AGS Airports, which also owns and operates Aberdeen and Southampton airports. Glasgow Airport was opened in 1966 and serves a variety of destinations throughout Canada, Europe, and the Middle East.

In 2019, Glasgow Airport was ranked as the second-busiest airport in Scotland, after Edinburgh Airport, and the ninth-busiest airport in the United Kingdom, handling 8.84 million passengers. However, in 2023, Glasgow International Airport ranked as the best airport in Scotland according to Which?, based on passenger satisfaction. The ranking was determined by surveying thousands of members about their experiences at airports in the UK. The survey considered factors such as queues at check-in, bag drop, passport control, and security, as well as overall satisfaction and the likelihood of recommending the airport.

In terms of size, Glasgow Airport is smaller compared to other airports in the UK, serving fewer than five million passengers a year. The airport has one runway, two terminals (the main terminal and the T2 facility), and handles over seven million passengers annually. It is easily accessible by road, with direct access to the adjoining M8 motorway, and is also served by the Glasgow Airport Express bus service.

Overall, Glasgow Airport is a significant transport hub in Scotland, providing connections to various domestic and international destinations. Its ranking in Scotland and the UK varies depending on the criteria used, such as passenger traffic or customer satisfaction.

The airport's location and transport links

Glasgow Airport is located in Paisley, Renfrewshire, 8.6 nautical miles (15.9 km; 9.9 mi) west of Glasgow city centre. The airport is easily accessible by road, with direct access to the adjoining M8 motorway. It is also served by a frequent bus service, the Glasgow Airport Express, which operates services to the city centre. The airport is also connected to a local footpath network and the National Cycle Network.

If you're travelling to Glasgow Airport by train, the nearest station is Paisley Gilmour Street, just over a mile from the terminal. From there, you can take the McGill's 757 bus service to the airport. Paisley St James is another nearby station, although it is smaller and less connected. A train from Glasgow Central Station to Paisley takes just over 30 minutes and comes every 15 minutes. From Paisley, you can get a bus, coach, or taxi to the airport. Alternatively, it's about a 10-minute walk.

There are also several bus services connecting Glasgow Airport with Glasgow city centre and other local destinations. These include the National Express Coach, which stops at Glasgow's Buchanan Bus Station in the city centre. From there, you can get a local bus, taxi, or train to the airport.

Glasgow Airport is also well-connected to other parts of the UK by both private and public transport.

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