www.Parctel.com: Skyhub to deliver ‘faster security, increased capacity and better customer service’
* One departure hub open to all passengers
* New purpose built security screening area
* Wider choice of shops, bars and restaurants
* Delivering a better customer service today and into the future
A multi-million pound plan to expand Glasgow Airport – the biggest single investment by airport operator BAA Glasgow for a generation – is about to get underway.
The £30 million project – known as skyhub – aims to reduce security waiting times, increase capacity in the terminal and offer passengers a wider choice of shops, bars and restaurants.
Glasgow SkyHub
Work will start later this month on the 4,000sq metre skyhub 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 retail and catering facilities, 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.
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.
Gordon Dewar, managing director of Glasgow Airport said: “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. We have already announced a major investment in additional staff and x-ray technology. skyhub takes that investment a step further and will give us the flexibility and the extra capacity that we need to provide a fast, efficient security screening service.
“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.”
Glasgow Airport’s domestic and international search areas have recently been refurbished - and rebranded skyscreen - as part of a trial for the planned single search area.
Customer service director Derek Provan said: “We see skyscreen as the launch pad for a new type of airport security at Glasgow. The security and safety of our passengers is something we take extremely seriously, but airport security doesn’t have to be an ordeal. skyscreen is designed to create a more relaxing security environment that puts passengers at ease.”
The new layout will also bring retail benefits for passengers. Under BAA’s plans, the existing airside/landside boundary will switch, so that most of the shops currently landside (before security) will be located airside (beyond security). Once through security, passengers can shop, eat and relax anywhere in the terminal.
“Glasgow is quite unusual in that the majority of shops are currently landside. By switching the boundary, and moving the majority of our retail offer airside, it means passengers will enjoy bigger savings and more choice,” explained Mr Provan. “Once through security, passengers will have access to the full range of bars, restaurants and lounges on offer at Glasgow Airport.”
Mr Dewar added: “skyhub is the biggest single investment by BAA in Glasgow Airport for a generation and underlines BAA’s long term commitment to the 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. skyhub is the new way to travel at Glasgow Airport, our gateway to the future.”
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