Strategic Airport Enhancements are vital to support the role of our main airports as gateways to Scotland. Lifeline air links to remote rural communities are also an essential part of our transport infrastructure.This national development includes enhancements ofAberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and PrestwickAirports. National development status also reflects the role of airports as hubs for wider investment and business development.Close to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Prestwick airports there are significant opportunities for business development as an associated land use. We expect to see further progress on delivery of airport masterplans during the lifetime of NPF3.

Implementation Lead(s): Airport operators, Aberdeen City Council, City of Edinburgh Council, Highland Council, Renfrewshire Council, South Ayrshire Council, Edinburgh International Development Partnership

Locations: Aberdeen Airport, Edinburgh Airport, Glasgow Airport, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Inverness Airport

Further reading:
Aberdeen Airport Masterplan
Aberdeen City Council Local Development Plan
Edinburgh Airport Masterplan
City of Edinburgh Council Local Development Plan
Edinburgh International Development Partnership
Glasgow International Airport Masterplan
Renfrewshire Council Local Development Plan
Glasgow Prestwick Airport Draft Masterplan
South Ayrshire Council Local Development Plan
Inverness Airport Masterplan
Highland Council Local Development Plan

Environmental Mitigation: Aviation industry work on reducing emissions from air transport is ongoing. Project level Habitats Regulation Appraisal will be required for projects at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness airports and any other locations as identified in the HRA record. The mitigation included in the Habitats Regulation Appraisal Record should be used to inform planning processes and be applied as appropriate.

National Planning Framework 3 Strategic Environmental Assessment (as updated)

Ongoing Activity and Milestones:
August 2013 – Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) reference: 13/03146/PAN lodged.  The PAN related to development described as: International Business Gateway Phase 1 comprising mixed use development including business, hotels and ancillary uses including retail, financial and professional services, food and drink, residential and residential institutions and non-residential institutions, assembly and leisure and other associated works including car parking, servicing, access arrangements and public realm.  A pre-application report was presented to CEC’s Development Management sub-committee on 6 November 2013

2014 – May – Edinburgh Tram Operational linking Edinburgh Airport, International Business Gateway site and Edinburgh City Centre

2014 – Aberdeen Airport to commence £15 million redevelopment of the terminal building, including an extension of the terminal building, larger airline lounges, new reclaim belts and more airside shopping and catering facilities

2014 – Publication of a Strategic Vision for Glasgow Prestwick Airport.  Completed 31 October 2014.

2014 – September – Edinburgh Airport completes a £21 million new terminal building extension and phased opening begins

                                               

2014 – Glasgow Airport completes £17m refurbishment of key terminal facilities

  

2014  – Glasgow Airport STAG report published

2014 – Clyde Valley Infrastructure Fund announced, including delivery of £144m rail link between Glasgow Airport and Glasgow city centre and £51m infrastructure improvements in the International Investment Quarter at Glasgow Airport

2015 – January – Commencement of £50 million airside investment programme at Edinburgh Airport

March 3, 2015 – South Ayrshire Council today joined Glasgow Prestwick Airport – the Scottish Government-owned strategic airport facility on the Ayrshire coast – in welcoming the Westminster announcement setting out the programme and criteria to select the UK’s first Spaceport. The UK Government has re-affirmed the country’s need to have an operational Spaceport capability by 2018 to support the burgeoning UK space industry. The facility will become a launch station for next-generation satellites and space instruments using the modern generation of horizontal take-off space launch vehicles. The UK Government selection programme is expected to run until October 2015 with Prestwick one of the possible locations being considered alongside Newquay in Cornwall, Llanbedr in Wales and a number of alternative Scottish sites.

2015 – January – Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) reference: 15/00225/PAN for Phase 2 of the International Business Gateway lodged with City of Edinburgh Council.  Business, residential and educational uses are proposed.

2015 – Spring – A planning application for a new airport hotel at Edinburgh is submitted.  The hotel will be built during 2015/16. Decision on a 175 bed airport hotel anticipated before the end of July.

2015 – June – A new Middle East route is due to commence from Edinburgh Airport and further Terminal expansion will be completed to support this

2015 – August – Glasgow Airport  – Minister for Transport and the Islands  Derek Mackay MSP officially opened the airport’s newly extended east pier

2015 – Edinburgh Airport – new centre-piece to the airport’s East plaza completed, linking the terminal’s new extension to the tram stop; Hampton by Hilton 175 bed hotel progressing; Memorandum of Understanding between Airport and City of Edinburgh Council continues to help deliver airport improvements

2015 – December – An application for planning permission in principle for the first (western) phase of the International Business Gateway was submitted (reference: 15/05580/PPP). This application is for 167,935 sqm of commercial space and 396 residential units.

2015 – November – UK Government hosted a Spaceport Technical Briefing for shortlisted sites, including Glasgow Prestwick Airport. The bidding process is expected to be undertaken during 2016

2015 –Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland – planning application submitted for a 230 bed Moxy hotel. (reference 15/05852/FUL).

2016 – Application for a 180 bed hotel at Fairview Mill submitted. (reference: 16/02706/PPP).

2016 – A £900,000 revamp to Inverness Airport now complete ready to accommodate new British Airways daily service to London Heathrow and KLM’s daily service to Amsterdam Schiphol as well as Easy jet expansion of flights to Luton and Gatwick. Terminal building expanded and upgraded including a new standalone international arrivals hall, housing Border Control and international baggage reclaim facilities.

The next phase being to enhance the retail offering which is currently in the procurement phase.

2016 – February – Aberdeen Airport
First Minister unveils £20m investment plan for Aberdeen International Airport

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP  visited Aberdeen International Airport to unveil details of what will be the single largest investment in the airport since the current terminal opened its doors in 1977.

A total of £20 million will be invested in the airport resulting in a 50% increase in the size of the terminal building and with it, a comprehensive transformation of current passenger facilities.

Included within the investment is the creation of two new passenger lounges, an expanded baggage reclaim area, a new security search area, new immigration facilities and new retail and catering facilities within the main departures lounge.

The first phase of what will be a three year project will get underway in May 2016. This will involve the construction of a two-storey extension to the south of the existing terminal building. At ground level, the extension will accommodate all facilities for international arriving passengers as well as domestic baggage reclaim. Two business lounges will be located on the upper level.

It is one of the most important pieces of transport infrastructure in the North East of Scotland and it plays a crucial role in supporting the wider economy.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “This investment by Aberdeen International Airport and its owners shows great ambition and confidence in the Airport’s future in preparing for projected growth. By increasing capacity and improving the passenger experience, the Airport is making a clear statement of intent and the North East and Scotland will see the benefit.

Mark McDonald, MSP for Aberdeen Donside said:

“This investment in Aberdeen Airport is another welcome boost to the local economy, following closely on the back of the City Region Deal.

“Aberdeen Airport is a major part of the North East economy, and it is great to see the owners of the airport showing such confidence in both the business itself, but also the wider region as they invest for a state of the art terminal, fit for the future.

“I am delighted to see this investment and believe that it gives further reason to be optimistic for the future of the airport and the local economy.”

2016 – Gogar Rail Halt – the physical works on site continue to progress as planned and delivery remains on schedule for an entry into service date of December 2016.

2016 – Winter – Edinburgh Gateway Rail Station open – Works progressing on schedule on the Gogar railway/tram interchange

2016 – November – Edinburgh Local Development Plan (LDP) approved. The LDP is supported by an Action Programme, which sets out the required infrastructure to support the growth of the city.

 

2016 – November – Edinburgh Airport published a draft masterplan for consultation; this is to be finalised.

2017 – Edinburgh International Business Gateway – First phase plans for the £700m business park at Edinburgh Airport have been submitted by a consortium comprised of Murray Estates, New Ingliston, and Frogmore and Salmon Harvester and currently going through the planning process.

2017 – July – City Region Deal announcement which includes £20m for West Edinburgh.

2017 – Autumn – Phase 2 IBG planning submissions anticipated.

International Business Gateway has been made possible by the arrival of the Edinburgh tram at the airport. The masterplan will safeguard a possible future westward extension to Newbridge.

Once fully complete (expected in 2040s) the district will stretch to 2.25m square feet of floor space on 90 acres of land.

2018 – Since the original City Region Deal announcement, The City of Edinburgh Council has pledged a further £16m, amounting to a £36m commitment for West Edinburgh.

2018 – Work completed on a new extension to Edinburgh Airport’s terminal building as part of an £80 million investment plan to facilitate the handling of record number of passengers forecasted. This is a component of the airports £220m+ capital investment programme to support growth and maintain operational standards over the next five years.

The three-storey terminal extension which will be officially opened in early 2019, creates 6 new boarding gates, seating areas and enhanced connectivity. This expansion also includes extended immigration, customs and reclaim facilities, as well as enhanced customer retail opportunities and facilities.

2019 – January 3 – Glasgow Airport Economic Impact Study published.

2019 – Glasgow Airport – Investment of almost £100 million in facilities since NPF3 was published in 2014.  This includes enhancements to airfield, terminal and landside infrastructure.

2019 – Glasgow Airport Investment Area – Significant progress is also being made with the National manifacturing Institute for Scotland and medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre announced as anchor tenants.  site infrastructure is expected to be complete by 2020, with the first developments opening from 2021 onwards.

2019 – Glasgow Airport – The Airport Access Project is being progressed as part of the Glasgow City region Deal and is planned to commence operation in 2025.

2019 – Glasgow Airport – Planning to publish an updated masterplan for consultation.

2020 – Progress is being made by the two Glasgow airport related city deal projects – the Airport Access Project and Airport Investment Area. City Deal: Airport Access Project The project will provide a direct link between Glasgow Central Station and Glasgow Airport, stopping at Paisley Gilmour Street station. This will make it easier for passengers to get to the airport and help local employees to get to work there while also improving access for other businesses in the area. The AAP Strategic business case (SBC) which has been developed jointly by Renfrewshire Council and Glasgow City Council, will be put before councillors in both authorities before going to the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Cabinet for approval on December 15, 2015.

The SBC considers two options for the link.

• A tram-train would operate on the heavy rail network between Glasgow Central Station and Paisley Gilmour Street before moving on to new tram rails running between Paisley and the front of the airport terminal building. This would offer a 16.5-minute direct journey between the city centre and the front door of the airport.
• A light rail personal rapid transit system is also being considered. In this scheme, passengers would travel by standard train to Paisley before disembarking and changing onto a new light-rail system to complete their journey to the airport.

City Deal: Glasgow Airport Investment Area  – the project will deliver infrastructure and environmental improvements, including two new bridges across the White Cart, a new ‘Gateway’ route between Paisley Town Centre and the Airport and improved facilities for public transport, cyclists and pedestrians.

As well as enabling the continued growth and expansion of the Airport and surrounding businesses, this investment in infrastructure will help to make Renfrewshire a more attractive, vibrant and sustainable place to live and work by better connecting communities and businesses.

Work is expected to start on site in 2018 with construction complete in 2020.

2020 – 4 million passengers per year forecast at Aberdeen Airport

2020 – 12.3 million passengers per year forecast at Edinburgh Airport

2020 – 10.4 million passengers per year forecast at Glasgow Airport

2020 – 1.4 million passengers per year (median growth) forecast at Inverness Airport, new/expanded facilities needed

2030 – 1.8 million passengers per year (median growth) forecast at Inverness Airport

2040 – 5.09 million passengers forecast at Aberdeen Airport

2040 – 20.5 million passengers per year forecast at Edinburgh Airport, major expansion of airport land area and facilities needed

2040 – 16.39 million passengers per year forecast at Glasgow Airport, limited expansion of airport land area and new facilities needed