Opened in 1966, Glasgow International Airport has a vibrant story. Glasgow International Airport was once known as Abbotsinch Airport. It stands in Paisley Renfrewshire. That’s about 9.9 miles west of Glasgow city center.
Originally flights from Glasgow International Airport only went to other UK and European destinations. Flights to other parts of the world used Glasgow Prestwick Airport. Glasgow International Airport became the main airport. Glasgow Prestwick Airport became the city’s secondary airport.
Let’s step back in time. The site’s story began in 1932. It was located at Abbotsinch. This area sits between the Black Cart Water and White Cart Water near Paisley. In 1933 the Royal Air Force 602 Squadron called Abbotsinch home. They flew Westland Wapiti IIA aircraft from nearby Renfrew.
During World War II in 1940 a torpedo training unit was established. Both RAF and Royal Navy crews trained here. In August 1943 the airbase became Royal Naval Air Station Abbotsinch. It was also known as HMS Sanderling. Aircraft maintenance reserve aircraft storage and salvage were its primary functions.
The Royal Navy departed in October 1963. The name Sanderling lives on. HMS Sanderling’s ship’s bell was given to the new airport. Also a bar inside Glasgow International Airport was named The Sanderling Bar.
Glasgow Corporation decided a new airport was needed in the 1960s. Renfrew Airport was Glasgow’s original main airport. It sat about 1.9 miles east of today’s Glasgow International Airport. The M8 motorway now covers the old runway.
Abbotsinch replaced Renfrew Airport on May 2 1966. The new airport cost about 4.2 million pounds. British European Airways began using De Havilland Comet aircraft. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened Glasgow International Airport on June 27 1966.
In 1975 the BAA took ownership. They began a large redevelopment plan in 1989. In the early 1990s Glasgow International Airport was innovative. It became the first UK airport to screen all baggage. This came after the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie in 1988.
An extended terminal building was added. It was built around the original Basil Spence building. Today the original building can be seen more clearly from the rear. A dedicated international departure lounge was added. This brought the total to 38 gates. By 1996 Glasgow International Airport served over 5.5 million passengers each year.
Glasgow International Airport has three piers: West Central and East. The West Pier handles most international and long-haul departures. In 2019 the pier was upgraded to handle the Airbus A380. The Central Pier is part of the original 1966 building. British Airways uses most of its gates. The East Pier was redeveloped for low-cost airlines.
In 2007 work began on Skyhub. It created a single security screening area. This also enlarged the duty-free shopping area.
A terrorist attack occurred on June 30 2007. A flaming Jeep Cherokee was driven into the main terminal entrance. New barriers and security measures were added.
Emirates operated an Airbus A380 to Glasgow on April 10 2014. This celebrated 10 years of the Glasgow Dubai route. It marked the first time an A380 visited a Scottish airport.
Ryanair announced it would close its base at Glasgow International Airport in 2018. In April 2019 Emirates launched a daily A380 flight on the Glasgow Dubai route.
Today Glasgow International Airport continues to evolve. It serves many destinations. Loganair is headquartered at the airport. It is also home to flying schools.
Glasgow International Airport stands as a testament to Scotland’s aviation history. It connects Glasgow to the world.