Bosses at Glasgow Airport are set to launch a summer invasion of northern England in a bid to attract thousands of English holidaymakers to fly from Glasgow this summer.

The airport is to target holidaymakers in the north of England in a bid to attract families planning a summer holiday to fly out of Glasgow Airport.

Amanda McMillan, MD of Glasgow Airport, is spearheading the campaign, which will also promote the benefits of flying from Scotland's busiest international gateway, following a recent £31 million makeover.

The campaign will centre on Carlisle, from where thousands of families travel south to Manchester every summer to catch a holiday flight - despite the fact that Glasgow Airport is closer and offers cheaper holiday packages during the peak summer months.

English holidaymakers flying from Glasgow in August and September can typically save hundreds of pounds on a family holiday. That's because the school term in Scotland and England differs and pupils in Scotland return to school much earlier than their English counterparts.

With less demand in August and September, Glasgow based airlines offer substantial discounts, making Glasgow a cheaper option than airports such as Manchester.

Some examples include:

* Save more than £200 on a family flight to Malaga 1
* Save more than £300 for a seven night holiday in Tenerife 2
* Save almost £800 on return flights to Florida 3
* Save over £1,000 on a family holiday to Orlando 4

And with only 105 miles separating Carlisle and Glasgow Airport - compared to 120 miles to Manchester - airport bosses hope to encourage local families to start their holiday in Glasgow. Car parking at Glasgow is also significantly cheaper than Manchester, meaning families save even more. 5

There are also savings for passengers who normally choose to fly from Newcastle airport. 6

Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, said: "Typically, a family of four could save hundreds of pounds on their summer holiday if they fly from Glasgow Airport during August or September. With cheaper holidays, cheaper parking and a shorter journey time from Carlisle, it makes financial sense to fly from Glasgow.

"With around 90 destinations worldwide available from Glasgow, canny Cumbrians will be surprised how far their budget takes them from Glasgow this summer."

Airport managers plan to target travel agents in the Cumbria area in a bid to encourage them to book holidays through Glasgow Airport. Meanwhile, Glasgow Airport has produced a summer flight guide which highlights the range of destinations available from Glasgow. Copies can be downloaded at www.glasgowairport.com/timetofly

Savings are based on:

1. Family of four (two adults, two children) flying to Malaga with easyJet, departing 8 August, returning 22 August. Flight from Glasgow costs £629.32. Equivalent Manchester flight costs £834.32.
2. A family of four can fly to Tenerife from Glasgow Airport and stay in the Optimist Apartments for a week in August for £1,759. This same trip from Manchester Airport costs £2,108. (holidayhypermarket.co.uk)
3. A family of four flying from Glasgow to Orlando Sanford with flyglobespan, departing 21 August and returning a week later. Premium economy costs £2,147.92. Equivalent flight from Manchester, with Monarch, costs £2, 922.
4. A family of four staying at Seralago Hotel & Suites, Orlando, for seven nights, departing 1 September. Cost from Glasgow £2042.71. Price from Manchester.
5. Flights to Cancun and accommodations at Villas Caribe, departing 1 September. Flight from Glasgow £2,722.68. Cost from Newcastle £3182.94 - a saving of £460.26.
6. Cost for on-airport long stay car parking at Manchester £49. Equivalent cost for Glasgow £36.70 (seven day booking, from 21 to 28 August).