'Glasgow Gateway' initiative designed to promote airport across UK and Europe

Three of Scotland's most successful entrepreneurs have agreed to act as business ambassadors for Glasgow Airport in a campaign to position Glasgow as Scotland's main business and leisure gateway.

Jim McColl, Chairman & Chief Executive of Clyde Blowers, John McGlynn, Chairman of the Airlink Group, and Chris Gorman, Chairman of the Entrepreneurial Exchange, are to take on the role in a bid to promote the city and airport.

The three entrepreneurs have extensive business interests, and contacts, across the UK, Europe and beyond. As ambassadors for Glasgow Airport, they will foster closer ties between the airport and local, national and international businesses, and provide greater insight into the travel needs of the business community.

The 'Glasgow Gateway' initiative is the brainchild of Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, who aims to build on Glasgow's status as Scotland's transatlantic and long haul gateway.

With flights to Canada, the US, the Gulf and Asia, Glasgow Airport has more transatlantic and long haul flights than any other in Scotland; and serves more Scottish destinations that any other airport, making it the ideal gateway to and from Scotland.

Airport bosses hope the plan will encourage more business travellers to use Glasgow Airport, and ultimately attract new flights, aimed at the business market, to key destinations across Europe and beyond.

The airport envoys will also be encouraged to provide feedback on their experience as regular business passengers of Glasgow Airport, and share examples of good customer service from other airports around the world.

A package of incentives are planned in a bid to encourage business travellers to fly to and from Glasgow Airport, including fastrack parking and security, and lounge access.

Amanda McMillan said: "We are delighted that three of Scotland's most successful entrepreneurs have agreed to act as business ambassadors for Glasgow Airport. They are some of Scotland's greatest business talents, with an impressive track record of business success, and an extensive network of contacts in the UK, Europe and beyond. We are confident that we can harness those contacts, and the entrepreneurial spirit of our ambassadors, to encourage more businesses to use Glasgow Airport as their gateway to and from Scotland.

"We are grateful that they have agreed to support our initiative and confident that they will prove worthy ambassadors for the airport. Their advice and feedback will allow us to deliver a better experience for regular business travellers, and indeed for all passengers."

John McGlynn, Chairman and Founder of the Airlink Group, is one of the business leaders backing the initiative.

He said: "Glasgow Airport plays a vital role in the economy of the west of Scotland, supporting inward investment and inbound tourism, both of which are essential for a successful economy. This recession has hit the air travel industry hard, but instead of sitting on their hands and waiting for better times, the airport team have responded with a series of campaigns designed to win new business.

"I am personally delighted to support this latest initiative. It shows a real determination on the part of the airport to encourage more business travellers to use Glasgow Airport, and promote the city's airport as the natural gateway to Scotland for overseas visitors."

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce is also backing the campaign. Chief Executive Stuart Patrick said: "This initiative harnesses some of Glasgow's, and the UK's, leading entrepreneurs to actively promote the city and what it has to offer. It is exactly this kind of initiative that the city needs to encourage investment and growth. A successful airport is vital to the city's prosperity. I welcome Amanda McMillan's vision and the Chamber will do what it can to continue to support the growth of the city's airport."

The new ambassadors have already set to work, with a range of innovative ideas designed to promote Glasgow and its airport under discussion.