Glasgow Airport reported its busiest March on record after more than 700,000 passengers travelled through its doors during the month, representing an increase of 7% on the same period last year.
The airport’s success in strengthening its European connectivity saw demand for EU destinations increase by 20.5% with services to Paris, Valencia, Lisbon and Berlin all performing well. Long haul carriers Emirates and Virgin Atlantic, which has increased capacity on its Orlando service, both enjoyed an uplift in passenger numbers. This contributed to an overall increase in international traffic of 13.7%.
Domestic traffic grew by 1.4% with British Airways and easyJet reporting an increase in demand for their London and UK regional services.
Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport said: “Our performance during the first quarter of 2017 has ensured we’ve made our busiest-ever start to any year.
“Our continued growth is a direct result of our efforts in securing new routes and services for our passengers. We have succeeded in significantly strengthening our European connectivity since the start of 2016 and later this year we will launch direct flights to Madrid, Frankfurt and Krakow.
“Providing a greater choice of routes not only opens up a host of new markets for our passengers, it provides our tourism industry with a much needed boost by ensuring Scotland is more accessible. Earlier this year Glasgow, through its Tourism and Visitor Plan to 2023, set out how it aims to attract one million more visitors to the city and position Glasgow as the gateway to Scotland.
“Glasgow Airport has a key role in supporting this ambition. If the city and Scotland are to continue to attract further visitors and enjoy the associated economic uplift, then it’s important we address the high levels of Air Passenger Duty which put our airports at a severe disadvantage when it comes to competing with our European and global counterparts.”