Airport Parking News

www.Parctel.com: Ticket dodgers beware: John Smeaton, the baggage handler catapulted to superhero status after he took on terrorist attackers, has quit his job to become head of security at a car park.

But never fear, the secure parking facility is just two miles from Glasgow Airport where the man known as "Smeato" won global recognition for felling alleged terrorists as a blazing car was driven into the terminal in June.

After 13 years' service at the airport, Mr Smeaton, 31, from Erskine, Renfrewshire, who was on a cigarette break when the attack happened, handed in his resignation.

He said: "I'll be really sad to leave, but now is the right time to move on. I'm looking forward to a new start and hopefully getting my life back to some sort of normality."

John McGlynn, founder and chairman of the Airlink Group, which owns Parksafe, the car park, approached Mr Smeaton.

Last month, Mr Smeaton won a Pride of Britain award for his actions. He was given a standing ovation at a recent Labour Party conference and thanked personally at Downing Street by Gordon Brown.

Source: ALISON CHIESA, The Herald

www.Parctel.com: Skyhub to deliver ‘faster security, increased capacity and better customer service’

* One departure hub open to all passengers
* New purpose built security screening area
* Wider choice of shops, bars and restaurants
* Delivering a better customer service today and into the future

A multi-million pound plan to expand Glasgow Airport – the biggest single investment by airport operator BAA Glasgow for a generation – is about to get underway.

The £30 million project – known as skyhub – aims to reduce security waiting times, increase capacity in the terminal and offer passengers a wider choice of shops, bars and restaurants.

Glasgow SkyHub

Work will start later this month on the 4,000sq metre skyhub development, which is expected to take 18 months to complete.

The two storey development will provide additional seating capacity on the ground floor, as well as new retail and catering facilities, and a new purpose built security search area on the first floor, through which all departing passengers will pass.

This will replace the existing three security zones (international, domestic and east pier) which will later be converted for use as retail, lounge and other passenger facilities.

The new search area will have capacity for up to 14 x-ray machines, four more than at present.

The development will also include a flagship World Duty Free store open to all departing passengers.

Gordon Dewar, managing director of Glasgow Airport said: “This expansion will allow us to concentrate our security search areas in one location, freeing up a huge amount of additional capacity within the terminal. This is particularly important during the busy summer months when Glasgow Airport can expect to handle over one million passengers in a single month.

“Security, for any airport, is of paramount importance and as passenger numbers increase, it’s important that we are able to screen passengers quickly and safely. We have already announced a major investment in additional staff and x-ray technology. skyhub takes that investment a step further and will give us the flexibility and the extra capacity that we need to provide a fast, efficient security screening service.

“Our aim, ultimately, will be to reduce the amount of time passengers wait in security lines and, in the process, deliver a better customer experience for our growing number of passengers.”

Glasgow Airport’s domestic and international search areas have recently been refurbished - and rebranded skyscreen - as part of a trial for the planned single search area.

Customer service director Derek Provan said: “We see skyscreen as the launch pad for a new type of airport security at Glasgow. The security and safety of our passengers is something we take extremely seriously, but airport security doesn’t have to be an ordeal. skyscreen is designed to create a more relaxing security environment that puts passengers at ease.”

The new layout will also bring retail benefits for passengers. Under BAA’s plans, the existing airside/landside boundary will switch, so that most of the shops currently landside (before security) will be located airside (beyond security). Once through security, passengers can shop, eat and relax anywhere in the terminal.

“Glasgow is quite unusual in that the majority of shops are currently landside. By switching the boundary, and moving the majority of our retail offer airside, it means passengers will enjoy bigger savings and more choice,” explained Mr Provan. “Once through security, passengers will have access to the full range of bars, restaurants and lounges on offer at Glasgow Airport.”

Mr Dewar added: “skyhub is the biggest single investment by BAA in Glasgow Airport for a generation and underlines BAA’s long term commitment to the airport. It is an exciting, ambitious project which puts the interests of passengers first. We want to make the journey through Glasgow Airport as safe, smooth and enjoyable as we can for all our passengers, delivering better service not just for today, but for the next generation of travellers. skyhub is the new way to travel at Glasgow Airport, our gateway to the future.”

www.Parctel.com: Glasgow Prestwick Airport today issued a message for Scottish flyers – your bags are much safer with us!

It emerged this week reveals that Europe’s other major airlines lose, on average, 30 times more luggage than Ryanair, whose only Scottish base is the Ayrshire airport.

A consumer report issued by the Association of European Airlines found that while Ryanair lose, on average, 0.5 bags for every 1,000 passengers, competitors would lose an average of 15.

The report also revealed Ryanair can boast Europe’s best punctuality record and the least cancellations in the short and medium haul sectors.

Mark Rodwell, Chief Executive of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, commented: “There is nothing worse than arriving at your destination, or arriving back home, and finding out your bags have disappeared but clearly that is happening to a lot of people.

“We would like to congratulate Ryanair on these figures, which demonstrate what a fine job both they and their airport partners are doing.

“Ryanair offers an excellent choice of destinations across Europe and passengers can fly from Glasgow Prestwick safe in the knowledge they are 30 times less likely to end up at the lost baggage desk!”

www.Parctel.com: Holland’s number one low-cost airline and now a favourite of the Scots too, celebrated its first anniversary of flying from Glasgow Prestwick airport on Sunday March 25. Lucky customers James and Elizabeth Innies from East Kilbride were the first to check in on transavia.com’s birthday flight and were presented with a bouquet of Dutch tulips and two free return tickets to Amsterdam with transavia.com to celebrate!

As a birthday present for all customers, transavia.com is also offering a ‘1p First Birthday Celebration Offer’, where one-way tickets from Glasgow Prestwick to Amsterdam cost just 1p, plus taxes and charges, for travel to the end of June 2007 when booked before midnight on Sunday April 1. This fantastic birthday promotion means tickets cost just £24.31 one-way, an excellent saving on the normal fare.

During the first year of operation, transavia.com has flown more than 50,000 customers between Glasgow Prestwick and Amsterdam. The service flies five times per week and the journey takes just 90 minutes, meaning a trip to Holland is just a short hop away! As one of Europe’s largest hub airports, Schiphol in Amsterdam also offers travellers the option of onward connections to 41 different destinations with transavia.com, and a total of more than 260 destinations in 90 countries.

Onno van den Brink, CEO transavia.com, comments “We’re delighted to celebrate our first birthday flying between Scotland and Holland. In our first year, we’ve had great feedback from customers on the reliability of our service, our great low prices and our convenient flight times, so we hope in the next year we can become Glasgow’s favourite, as well as Holland’s number one low cost airline!”

Mark Rodwell, Chief Executive of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, added: “transavia.com provided the airport with our first direct connection to Holland and it has proved popular with passengers travelling in both directions as Amsterdam is a brilliant destination.

“We are delighted to celebrate the route’s first birthday and hope the service will continue to go from strength to strength in the years to come. As transavia.com is currently the only low cost carrier operating on the Glasgow to Amsterdam route and provides a friendly and efficient service, we are confident that will happen.”

Spring is a great time to visit the world famous Keukenhof Gardens, just 30 minutes by train from Amsterdam. Tulips and flowers galore are once again coming into bloom and the gardens will be open until 20 May 2007.

This year’s theme is ‘Linnaeus King of Flowers’ to celebrate the 300th birthday of the Swedish scientist. In keeping with this, the gardens were opened by Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden on the first day of spring and this season’s highlights include a huge, colourful flower-mosaic of Pippi Longstocking. www.keukenhof.nl

To book flights visit www.transavia.com or call 0207 365 4997

Ryanair, Europe's No.1 low fares airline, celebrates the start of European summer time with a fare offer of £9.99* on all routes from the UK to destinations across Europe. Our two Ryanair blonde stunners are ready to hit the hot beaches of Europe (though maybe they're a little under-dressed for March) and are encouraging people to stop hibernating and book a flight to the sun.

They've got their bikinis, their cocktails and their beach towels, and they're all set to find the sun this summer with Europe's largest low fares airline.

Ryanair's UK Marketing Executive Elaine Duff said: "It's time to throw away the winter coats and scarves and feel the sun on your face. Summer's coming and Ryanair has 455 fantastic low fare routes across 25 countries, all fabulous destinations offering summer sun at the lowest fares in Europe.

"Choose from the usual magical tourist hotspots in Spain such as Vitoria, Santander and Santiago or Italy's Ancona or Alghero, or even Marseille or Toulon in France, or maybe this summer consider something different - in Hungary, Slovenia or Latvia. They're off the beaten track, untouristed, and cheap as chips!

"Right now, fares start from £9.99* one-way, inclusive of tax, so get that summer break booked now on ryanair.com.

"At fares this low, we advise you to book them fast because once they're gone, they're gone."

Ryanair lovelies Ashleigh and Llana soaking up the sun at Prestwick Airport.

www.JustParking.co.uk: Glasgow Prestwick Airport is to provide the cheapest long stay car parking facilities in Scotland.

When Car Park 7 opens on Friday March 30, passengers can leave their vehicles on-site when they jet off for as little as £9.99 for three days, or £22.99 for eight days – or even less.

Arlane Fleming, Glasgow Prestwick’s Commercial Manager, explains: “We are committed to providing the best car parking at GPA. We already provide the closest car parks for those who need them, now we provide the cheapest car parks and we plan to keep it that way.

“If you fly from Glasgow Prestwick, you can support the airport, support the cheapest flights and get the cheapest parking deals by booking your parking with us."

Passengers can also take advantage of various special offers when Car Park 7 Long Stay Economy, which will be located on the airport’s north side, opens for business.

The new car park will be fully floodlit and fully asphalted with 24 hour CCTV coverage, regular patrols, help points, passenger wait facilities and toilets.

UNIONS today warned Glasgow Airport could be hit by strikes after British Airways said it wanted to transfer hundreds of its ground workers to a private firm.

BA said it was in talks to transfer some of its ground handling operations at Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Manchester airports to Aviance UK in a move that would affect 730 jobs.

But the announcement provoked an angry response from unions.
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One leader said: "There could be strike action. We cannot rule it out. Today's announcement has provoked a lot of anger among our members."

BA say 160 workers at Glasgow Airport - most in customer services, such as check-in duties - would be affected, along with 273 at Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

The planned switch to Aviance was announced after BA paid no-frills rival Flybe more than £100million to take ownership of loss-making regional subsidiary BA Connect. As a result, BA's ground handing services will be slashed 40%.

Ian King, negotiator for the GMB union, was in talks with airline bosses today after flying from Glasgow to Heathrow for an emergency meeting.

A GMB spokeswoman said: "This is clearly part of a major exercise by BA to withdraw from the regions and to solely operate out of Heathrow. We could end up with Heathrow Airways rather than British Airways."

BA has started a 90-day consultation on the plan. If a deal with Aviance goes ahead all staff will have existing pay and conditions protected under European work regulations.

Staff who refuse to switch employer will be offered an alternative BA job or a severance deal.

Geoff Want, who is in charge of BA's ground operations, said: "Our review has shown we can no longer sustain in-house ground handling at these airports. We need a cost-effective operation."

Source: Evening Times

KIND-hearted Glasgow Airport staff won praise for their community spirit in the I-Volunteer Awards, which celebrate the work of BAA staff.

The Glasgow team won two top awards - and £10,000 in prize money to continue their good work - at a London ceremony hosted by ex-TV newsman Martyn Lewis.

Airport security officer John McMillan took the Best Volunteering Team Award on behalf of Collective Airport Staff Helping. Security officer and counsellor Avril Henderson won the top award for the outstanding volunteer from across BAA's seven airports.

Source: Evening Times

An MSP faces being banned from Holyrood meetings for five days after being found guilty of issuing a press release ahead of an official committee report.

Independent MSP Brian Monteith had set out to highlight his disagreement with a committee's decision to back the Glasgow airport rail link.

However, Holyrood's standards commissioner said Mr Monteith had issued the information prematurely.

Lib Dem Mike Pringle was given a five day ban last year for a similar breach.

The decision to bar Mr Monteith was made by MSPs on Holyrood's Standards Committee, following an inquiry by standards commissioner Dr Jim Dyer.

The verdict, if endorsed by parliament, means he cannot attend committees or meetings of parliament for that period.

However, he will be permitted to do other work within the building, such as constituency tasks.

White elephant

Mr Monteith was a member of a Holyrood committee scrutinising the proposed Glasgow airport rail link.

The committee gave the scheme its backing but Mr Monteith disagreed and warned the scheme could become an "expensive white elephant".

The former Conservative had claimed his press release had been published prematurely because the media had broken an embargo.

However, Standards Committee convener Brian Adam told MSPs that an official had advised that no information should be issued, embargoed or otherwise.

The MSPs said he had broken two parts of the code - one relating to the confidentiality of committee reports and one requiring dissenting committee members to wait for publication of a report before going public with their dissent.

Source: BBC

HUMAN rights groups yesterday called for an investigation into Scotland's involvement in "torture flights" after the European Parliament condemned the use of UK airports in the alleged transport of United States prisoners of war.

Prestwick airport, Glasgow International and Edinburgh airport have all been named as stopovers for flights allegedly carrying people accused of terrorism to other countries not bound by human rights codes in the treatment of suspects.

Yesterday, Euro MPs voted to adopt a report condemning the UK's involvement in the so-called "extraordinary rendition" flights. The report, approved in Strasbourg after a year-long inquiry, says more than 1,000 covert flights operated by the CIA flew into European airspace or stopped over at European airports between the end of 2001 and the end of 2005.

The UK government is singled out for co-operating with the CIA in sending three UK residents on rendition fights for questioning in connection with alleged terrorism.

The UK is also one of the three countries, with Germany and Ireland, where the volume of CIA flights was greatest.

At Prestwick, more than 156 US warplanes linked to military intelligence landed during the controversy.

John Watson, Amnesty International's programme director for Scotland, called for an investigation into the country's involvement.

"We call on the Scottish Executive to establish whether Scottish airports have been complicit in the kidnapping, transporting, secret detention and torture of prisoners by allowing CIA rendition flights to land and refuel," he said.

"The UK government has to establish whether its officials have been involved in the extraordinary rendition and torture of prisoners. The government line that it has checked and can find no evidence of complicity with CIA rendition is not good enough.

"Scotland should follow the lead of several European countries in allowing independent investigations into any Scottish involvement with rendition."

Alyn Smith, the SNP MEP, was also concerned at Scotland's involvement.

He said:

"There are still major concerns over what happened at Scotland's airports. We do not know and have not been told. This report does a good job in bringing greater clarity to the issue but does not answer those key questions.

"Once again, I urge the Scottish Executive, in particular those Liberal Democrats in the Executive who freely call for an inquiry in London, to back up their calls with an inquiry into events in Scotland."

Yesterday's report carries no legal weight, and follows a separate report by human rights watchdog the Council of Europe last year, which said the CIA ran a "global spider's web" of rendition flights, with European countries acting as staging posts.

The Scottish Executive insists it is a reserved matter.

Source: The Scotsman