Airport Overview
Glasgow Airport, also known as Glasgow International Airport, formerly Abbotsinch Airport, is an international airport in Scotland. The airport is owned and operated by AGS Airports.
GLA airport is located in Paisley, Renfrewshire, 8.6 nautical miles (15.9 km) west of Glasgow city centre.
Airport Stats & Facts
- GLA is the second-busiest in Scotland.
- The airport’s largest tenants are British Airways, easyJet and Loganair.
- In 2019, the Glasgow airport handled 8.84 million passengers.
Airport Traveling Tips
- Passengers are recommended to be at the airport 2 hours before a domestic flight (within the UK) 3 hours before the European flights and 4 hours before the long haul flights.
- To ensure a smooth check-in process, passengers should pack carry-on luggage in a suitable manner, have photo ID ready, and read all the airline guidelines properly prior to arriving at the airport.
- Before heading to the airport for a flight, please have a look at the GLA Airport map.
Passenger Pickup and Drop-off
- The Pickup & Drop-off areas at GLA are located directly outside the main terminal building in car park 2
- Visitors who’ve to wait for the arriving passengers can use the 30-minute free parking option in the long-stay car park on the airport grounds.
Flight Status
- For arriving flights: Arrival flight status provides the arrival times, gate information, delays, and time to land for the Barcelona Airport.
- For departing flights: Departing flight status lists scheduled vs actual departure, gate information, map tracking, and flight delays.
- To get the best fares, book a flight at BCN here.
Airport Terminals
Glasgow's Airport Terminal consists of three piers - West Pier, Central Pier and East Pier.
West Pier
Commonly known as the International Pier, the West Pier was built as part of the 1989 extension project and is the principal international and long haul departure point. This pier has stands 27 - 36.
Central Pier
The Central Pier was part of the original 1966 building. It has stands 14 - 26.
East Pier
The East Pier, constructed in the mid-1970s, was originally used for international flights but in recent years has been re-developed for use by low-cost airlines. It has stands 1- 12.
Airlines Served
The various airlines served at Glasgow Airport include easyJet, Ryanair, TUI Airways, Emirates, and more.
View the full list of airlines served at GLA Airport here.
Airport Parking
Short Stay Parking
It is the on-airport multi-storey car park, just a short walk to the check-in area.
Rates:
Up to 20 minutes - £5.00
Up to 60 minutes - £7.00
Up to 90 minutes - £10.50
Up to 2 hours - £12.50
Up to 3 hours - £15.00
Up to 4 hours - £21.00
Up to 24 hours - £36.00
Each additional day or part thereof thereafter - £26.00
Long Stay Parking
The long-stay car park is the cheapest and safest option when flying from Glasgow Airport. It is less than a 5-minute bus ride to the terminal and is the perfect park-and-fly option for your journey.
Rates:
1 day - £30.00
2 days - £41.00
3 days - £46.00
4 days - £52.00
Each additional day or part thereof thereafter - £12.00
Ground Transport
There are many ways passengers can get from Glasgow Airport. From rental cars to public transport to taxi, plus more, travelers can choose among a variety of options available after arriving at the airport.
Car Rental
There are several car rental companies located just outside the main terminal closest to the domestic arrivals section, or alternatively just beside terminal 2. They all offer a range of vehicle sizes, from small compact cars and family-sized saloons to larger SUVs.
Taxis
With 180 taxis in the fleet, the iconic white taxi can be found in the prestige pick up position, directly outside the Terminal building, with no need to book in advance.
Public Transportation
Glasgow Airport Express service 500 is operated by First Glasgow and is the official bus service connecting the airport and the city centre in just 15 minutes.
Amenities & Services
For visitors to have a great stay, Glasgow Airport provides a myriad of amenities and services including:
- Store, gift shops, and local souvenir shops.
- Restaurants, bars, and cafes.
- Shoeshine stations, and massage bars.
- Free Wi-Fi internet throughout the airport.
- Multiple art installations and exhibits on display.
- Vending machines, and banks/ATMs.
Contact Information
Address: Paisley, Renfrewshire, SCO PA3 2SW, GBR
Website: http://www.glasgowairport.com
Phone: +44 844 481 5555
Glasgow Airport: A Brief History Timeline
- The history of the present Glasgow Airport goes back to 1932, when the site at Abbotsinch, between the Black Cart Water and the White Cart Water, near Paisley in Renfrewshire, was opened.
- In 1940, a torpedo training unit was formed, which trained both RAF and Royal Navy crews.
- On 11 August 1943, Abbotsinch was handed over solely to the Royal Navy and it became a naval base.
- During the 1950s, the airfield housed a large aircraft storage unit and squadrons of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.
- In 1975, the BAA took ownership of Glasgow Airport.
- In 1989, BAA embarked on a massive redevelopment plan for Glasgow International Airport.
- In late 2007, work commenced on Skyhub (located between the Main Terminal and Terminal which created a single, purpose-built security screening area in place of the previous individual facilities for each of the three piers.
- In 2017, easyJet became the first airline to carry more than one million passengers from the airport in a period of 12 months.