Latest news with #AviAlliance
The Herald Scotland
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Glasgow Airport chief reveals major flights update
The transformation of the main terminal building at Glasgow Airport would deliver 'best-in-class operational and retail facilities for passengers'. AviAlliance's plans for Glasgow Airport also include direct investment into airfield infrastructure and energy-efficiency initiatives. And AviAlliance revealed Aberdeen Airport, Europe's largest heliport, would see 'similar investment in its airfield infrastructure'. I was able to catch a word with Kam Jandu, who was installed by AviAlliance as the new chief executive of AGS Airports immediately after completion of the AGS acquisition, as the huge investment by the new owner was unveiled at Glasgow Airport. And it was interesting to hear his priorities for new routes and building passenger numbers generally, as well as his views on the rise of Edinburgh Airport. Mr Jandu revealed the airport is in talks with Emirates about the airline increasing its daily service to Dubai to double-daily. He voiced hopes this could happen in the next two to three years, with Emirates operating a daily narrow-body aeroplane flight on the Glasgow to Dubai route in addition to the existing daily service on the Airbus A380, which is the world's largest passenger aircraft. Mr Jandu declared Emirates' current daily Glasgow to Dubai service on the A380 was 'a huge deal' for the airport and a 'feather in our cap'. He told me: 'We are talking about them expanding that to a double-daily.' Asked if this was likely to happen, he quipped he was not a betting man but added: 'The double-daily – with the A380 and a narrow body [plane] – yes, I can see that happening in the next two to three years. And to have the second daily as a wide body – probably in five to six years.' Mr Jandu named Copenhagen, Madrid, Berlin and Milan as four examples of priorities for new direct flights from Glasgow and highlighted his view there was a need for 'more connectivity' with three key European hubs with which Glasgow already has connections: Amsterdam, Paris and Frankfurt. Mr Jandu meanwhile described the prospects of winning direct flights to North America as 'good' and highlighted talks with US airlines. My column in The Herald on the interview with Glasgow Airport's new chief observed: 'The priorities laid out by Mr Jandu on building connectivity and increasing passenger numbers generally were eminently sensible. 'The proof of the pudding will be in the execution of the plans, but it was good to see he was in confident form and that much effort is being made on various key fronts.' Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes attended Glasgow Airport for the unveiling of the major investment plans by AviAlliance, a wholly owned subsidiary of PSP Investments which has stakes in Athens, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) airports. Read more This provided the opportunity to ask a couple of questions about the future of Prestwick Airport. Ms Forbes highlighted the Scottish Government's 'very clear lines' that it wants Prestwick Airport to continue to operate as an airport after any sale. The Deputy First Minister said the Scottish Government continued to 'make progress' in terms of its aspirations to return Prestwick Airport, which it rescued in 2013 by buying the airport from Infratil of New Zealand for £1, to the private sector. However, Ms Forbes said she was unable to provide an update on an 'active bid' for Prestwick Airport, which was confirmed in late March by First Minister John Swinney, declaring the matter was 'so commercially sensitive' Asked in late March by Scottish Parliament economy and fair work committee convener and South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth if he was aware of an active bid for Prestwick Airport, Mr Swinney replied: 'I am. That's a matter that's currently under very active consideration.' Ms Forbes, who highlighted Prestwick Airport's cargo operations, said: 'We have set out very clear lines that we want Prestwick to continue to operate as an airport. 'My view is Scotland is small enough to be able to support multiple airports but for those airports to be complementary to one another.' Prestwick Airport forecast in February its direct workforce would rise from 354 to around 400 with its expansion plans for its cargo operations. The airport puts the number of jobs that it supports in the aerospace cluster in and around it at about 4,000. In a column for The Herald on Sunday, I observed: 'Prestwick Airport is certainly of great strategic importance. 'So it is reassuring to hear Ms Forbes emphasise the Scottish Government's 'very clear lines' about wanting it to continue as an airport after any sale.' Donald Trump's trade tariff war has, not surprisingly, never been far from the spotlight in the past month and has provided much about which to write. The US President's 'Liberation Day' announcement of the US's tariffs on imports from various countries around the world, on April 2, sent stock markets gyrating wildly. It always looked like this was going to be the first rather than last chapter of the manoeuvrings, notably by Mr Trump but also by other world leaders, and so it has proved, with the greatest friction perhaps predictably coming in the US-China relationship. The only thing that seems certain is that this soap opera has a long way to run. Senior Scottish economist Jeremy Peat told The Herald on April 7: 'The dramatic response of global stock markets to Donald Trump's mad cap scheme to raise tariffs across the board was simply inevitable and wholly predictable. 'The immediate impact across all economies and all companies in the traded goods sectors was clearly going to be adverse. 'To me this implies a much weaker global economy for at least a year or two.' As I observed on the Trump tariff moves in a column for The Herald on Sunday: 'While the plot twists might be fascinating to watch, we must hope we move from all this drama and financial market turbulence to a calmer situation as quickly as possible. However, to say that remains to be seen would certainly be an understatement. 'We must also hope that, when the dust settles, what we are left with in terms of the global trade position and the broader fall-out from all of this does not do too much damage to the real economy, in the UK, the US and globally. 'From a UK perspective, the last thing businesses and households need is even tougher times than those they have been enduring.' This article was first published in Business HQ Monthly
The Herald Scotland
28-04-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Glasgow Airport chief's flights news as transformation looms
Also encouraging was the determination and confidence of new Glasgow Airport chief Kam Jandu around building connectivity, as he highlighted key priorities on this front. Mr Jandu took over as chief executive of Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports owner AGS earlier this year following AviAlliance's acquisition of AGS. The degree to which Edinburgh Airport has outperformed Glasgow Airport since around the turn of the millennium has been striking. Glasgow Airport's lack of direct North American flights contrasts starkly with the days when it had several flag carriers which operated services to the US and to Canada. And the days when Glasgow was Scotland's biggest airport, while also not really that long ago, seem like a distant memory in terms of its current passenger numbers relative to Edinburgh. Glasgow Airport, which it must be recognised has seen a strong rebound in its passenger numbers in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, had around 8.2 million passengers last year. In 2024, Edinburgh became the first Scottish airport to ever exceed 15 million passengers in a year. AviAlliance, the wholly owned airports platform of one of Canada's largest pension investors, revealed its plans for the transformation of the main terminal building at Glasgow on Wednesday as it unveiled an overall £350 million investment in the growth and decarbonisation of its three UK airports over five years. And it seemed at pains, not surprisingly given the extent of the capital expenditure and its determination to drive passenger traffic growth, to highlight the scale of what it is planning at Glasgow Airport. AviAlliance declared its plans constituted the 'single largest capital investment programme in AGS since it was formed in 2014'. Read more It talked about creating 'best-in-class' operational and retail facilities at Glasgow Airport, and Mr Jandu also highlighted a drive to enhance dining options as the stops are pulled out to optimise the passenger experience. The project is expected to increase the space in Glasgow Airport's main terminal building by about 20%. Mr Jandu described the prospects of winning direct flights to North America as 'good' and highlighted talks taking place with US airlines. He also spoke about a need for 'more connectivity' with three key European hubs with which Glasgow already has connections: Amsterdam, Paris and Frankfurt. This seems eminently sensible, given that these options may well be preferable to London Heathrow to many people when they are embarking on long-haul trips. Greater connectivity with the three key European hubs identified by Mr Jandu would certainly provide far more choice for travellers thinking about flying from Glasgow Airport to a raft of different destinations around the world. Mr Jandu meanwhile flagged Copenhagen, Madrid, Berlin and Milan as four examples of priorities for new direct flights from Glasgow. It would undoubtedly be good to have direct connections between Glasgow and these cities, and the aspiration of securing such links seems like a perfectly realistic one. Mr Jandu also revealed Glasgow Airport is in talks with Emirates about the airline increasing its daily service to Dubai to double-daily. Emirates currently operates a daily Airbus A380 service between Glasgow and Dubai. Read more Asked if a move to a double-daily service was likely to happen, Mr Jandu replied: 'The double-daily - with the A380 and a narrow body [plane] - yes, I can see that happening in the next two to three years. And to have the second daily as a wide body - probably five to six years' time.' It will be fascinating to watch the physical evolution of Glasgow Airport and how its endeavours in seeking new routes and increasing passenger numbers more generally work out. Bearing in mind the importance of airports to the economies and labour markets around them, the airport will hopefully enjoy a resurgence under its new ownership. Prestwick Airport has also been in the spotlight this week. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes highlighted the Scottish Government's 'very clear lines' that it wants Prestwick Airport to continue to operate as an airport after any sale. Ms Forbes said the Scottish Government continued to 'make progress' in terms of its aspirations to return Prestwick Airport, which it rescued in 2013 by buying the airport from Infratil of New Zealand for £1, to the private sector. She made these comments when asked about Prestwick during a visit to Glasgow Airport for the major investment announcement by AviAlliance. However, Ms Forbes said she was unable to provide an update on an 'active bid' for Prestwick Airport which was confirmed late last month by First Minister John Swinney - declaring that the matter was 'so commercially sensitive'. Asked about the importance of the jobs at Prestwick Airport and the employment supported by the airport, in the context of any potential sale, Ms Forbes replied: 'We have obviously saved Prestwick Airport more than a decade ago, precisely because of its strategic importance to the Scottish economy.' Prestwick Airport is certainly of great strategic importance. So it is reassuring to hear Ms Forbes emphasise the Scottish Government's 'very clear lines' about wanting it to continue as an airport after any sale.
Scottish Sun
24-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Scots airports set for ‘major transformation' after £350million boost
AIR WE GO Scots airports set for 'major transformation' after £350million boost Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PLANS have been unveiled for the "major transformation" of a Scots airport following a £350million cash injection. The investment, by Glasgow Airport owner AviAlliance, will include a refit of the main terminal building, "delivering best in class operational and retail facilities" for passengers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Plans have been unveiled for the "major transformation" of Glasgow Airport Credit: AGS 2 The cash will be used to refurbish the main terminal building Credit: Les Gallagher AviAlliance also said the initiative will include direct investment in airfield infrastructure and energy efficiency initiatives. The firm completed the acquisition of AGS Airports in January in a deal worth £1.53billion. It's hoped the changes will "significantly enhance" the passenger experience. Meanwhile Aberdeen Airport, which is Europe's largest heliport, will see similar investment in its airfield infrastructure. Read more travel COME FLY WITH ME Major airline puts thousands of flights on sale to and from Scotland And Southampton Airport, which completed its 164-metre runway extension in 2023, will undergo redevelopment works. AGS supports more than 30,000 jobs and generates in excess of £2billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) for the UK economy every year. Alongside the cash boost, AviAlliance confirmed the appointment of Charles Hammond OBE as the new chair, who stepped down as Chief Executive of Forth Ports in 2024 after holding the position for 23 years. Kam Jandu, Chief Executive of AGS Airports, said: 'AGS plays a critical role in driving economic and social prosperity across Scotland and the UK. We have ambitious plans for the long-term, sustainable growth of our airports including the strengthening of our connectivity which underpins the success of the regions we serve. "This significant investment will not only enhance the fabric of our airports, it will enhance the role they currently play in facilitating trade and tourism, and, importantly in generating meaningful employment across the country. "We are also delighted to welcome Charles on board as our new Chair. He is joining at what is a very exciting time for AGS and his unrivalled experience will prove invaluable as we work to unlock the next chapter in the group's growth." Irish airport reveals new arrivals hall after major revamp as passengers say Gerhard Schroeder, Managing Director of AviAlliance, said: "AviAlliance takes a long-term view across all the airports within our portfolio and this investment will assist AGS in accelerating its plans for delivering a superior passenger experience and growing connectivity. We are looking forward to working with AGS' regional and national partners over the coming years to realise the full and undoubted potential of Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports.' Charles Hammond OBE, Chair of AGS Airports, said: "It is an absolute privilege to have been appointed Chair of AGS. I know Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports very well and I am also well aware of the critical role they play as drivers of regional economic growth across the UK. "With the £350million investment from our new shareholders now confirmed, I am relishing the opportunity of working with the AGS board, Kam and his executive team, to ensure AGS can play an even greater role in supporting our regions to boost trade and tourism." Deputy First Minister of Scotland Kate Forbes said: "This significant investment in Scotland by AGS will bring incredible benefits through improved infrastructure at both Glasgow and Aberdeen airports, and to our wider economy. "Good international connectivity is key to economic growth in Scotland. It enables flow of trade, investment, labour and tourism, which will contribute to our prosperity. Additionally, the commitment to sustainability is welcome as we progress towards a net zero future."
The Herald Scotland
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Emirates flights talks revealed by Glasgow Airport chief
He said Emirates' current daily Glasgow to Dubai service on the A380 was 'a huge deal' for the airport and a 'feather in our cap'. And Mr Jandu, who was speaking immediately after a huge investment in the airport was announced today, revealed: 'We are talking about them expanding that to a double-daily.' Asked if this was likely to happen, Mr Jandu quipped that he was not a betting man but added: 'The double-daily - with the A380 and a narrow body [plane] - yes, I can see that happening in the next two to three years. And to have the second daily as a wide body - probably five to six years' time.' Mr Jandu also revealed his priorities for new routes, as he highlighted loss of market share in recent years and hopes that a huge investment can drive passenger growth. He declared: 'Maybe about 14% of the people who could be flying from here are making the trip to Edinburgh.' Mr Jandu, who took over as chief executive of Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports owner AGS earlier this year following AviAlliance's acquisition of AGS, also described the prospects of winning direct flights to North America as 'good' and highlighted talks with US airlines. He named Copenhagen, Madrid, Berlin and Milan as four examples of priorities for new direct flights from Glasgow. Mr Jandu also hammered home his view that there was a need for 'more connectivity' with three key European hubs with which Glasgow already has connections: Amsterdam, Paris and Frankfurt. He flagged the importance of these hubs to people looking to fly from Glasgow Airport to many different destinations around the world. Read more Since around the turn of the millennium, Edinburgh Airport has enjoyed significantly better fortunes in driving passenger traffic up than Glasgow Airport. Last year, Edinburgh became the first Scottish airport to ever exceed 15 million passengers in a year. Glasgow Airport, which has seen a strong rebound in its passenger numbers in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, had around 8.2 million passengers last year. AviAlliance, the wholly owned airports platform of one of Canada's largest pension investors, today revealed plans for a 'comprehensive transformation' of the main terminal building at Glasgow as part of a £350 million investment in the growth and decarbonisation of its three UK airports over five years. It declared its plans constituted the 'single largest capital investment programme in AGS since it was formed in 2014'. The 'concept designs' are aimed at showing 'the art of the possible' as the 'comprehensive transformation' of the main terminal building at Glasgow Airport moves ahead (Image: AGS Airports) Asked if he believed the investment would help Glasgow Airport close the gap with Edinburgh Airport in terms of passenger numbers, Mr Jandu replied: 'Yes and no. I think [yes] in the sense [of] the more flights we get to come to Glasgow. 'They (airlines) will come here because they see an opportunity and because we are the biggest city in Scotland, and that is an opportunity for them to come back. 'Our conversations with the airline - it is not an either or [between Glasgow and Edinburgh].' Mr Jandu highlighted the fact that the likes of Jet2 and easyJet fly from both Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. He declared: 'Edinburgh are going to face challenges with capacity at some point.' However, he added: 'This isn't us against Edinburgh. We want to get our market share back.' Mr Jandu observed: 'The reality in modern aviation is we don't just compete with Edinburgh…The goal is not to steal anything that wasn't naturally ours back from Edinburgh. Our natural market share has shrunk over the last decade and that is not right.' Asked what had caused the drop in market share at Glasgow Airport, Mr Jandu replied: 'The main reason is because there are more airlines that took the decision to fly from Edinburgh, whatever the reason.' He added: 'Slowly but surely, we are optimistic about regaining some of that share.' 'Concept design' for planned transformation of Glasgow Airport's main terminal building (Image: AGS Airports) Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stuart Patrick has been among those to highlight Glasgow's lack of direct flights to North America in recent times as a key issue for the airport and the regional economy. In decades past, Glasgow Airport had several North American flag carriers operating out of it. Asked about the prospects of Glasgow winning North American routes, Mr Jandu replied: 'The prospects are good. There is a whole macro, political discussion going on in America [with] trans-regional traffic going down. All four of the major US airlines are saying, 'We might have some extra capacity'.' Read more He expressed hopes that Glasgow could win some of this extra capacity, highlighting these airlines' extra-long-range, narrow-body aircraft, and declared this was 'potentially on the radar' for 2026 or 2027. Mr Jandu also emphasised the importance of ensuring quick turnaround times for airlines for which this was a key priority, and the part which the planned investment could play in this for Glasgow Airport. He said: 'Airlines are saying to us, 'We want to go where we can operate punctually'.' Mr Jandu highlighted the importance of the major investment being embarked upon at Glasgow Airport in the decision-making of airlines when they were considering 'growth and expandability'. Another of the 'concept designs' for the planned transformation of Glasgow Airport's main terminal building (Image: AGS Airports) He said the 'vast majority' of the £350m investment would be in Scotland, and the 'vast majority' of that would be at Glasgow. AGS Airports noted that the 'transformation' of the main terminal building at Glasgow Airport was likely to increase the space by around 20%. Mr Jandu highlighted plans to invest in the retail and dining offerings for passengers. AviAlliance, a wholly owned subsidiary of PSP Investments which has stakes in Athens, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) airports, also plans direct investment into airfield infrastructure and energy-efficiency initiatives. Scottish Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes joined Mr Jandu at Glasgow Airport at the announcement of the investment, with what an AGS Airports spokesman described as 'concept designs' around 'the art of the possible' on display in the check-in area. Ms Forbes said of the planned investment: 'This is huge. It is transformational.' She added: 'This significant investment in Scotland by AGS will bring incredible benefits through improved infrastructure at both Glasgow and Aberdeen airports, and to our wider economy. 'Good international connectivity is key to economic growth in Scotland. It enables flow of trade, investment, labour and tourism, which will contribute to our prosperity. Additionally, the commitment to sustainability is welcome as we progress towards a net zero future.'
Glasgow Times
23-04-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Major plans revealed for Glasgow Airport after takeover
AviAlliance has announced plans to invest a whopping £350million in the 'future growth and decarbonisation' of AGS Airports over the next five years. It follows the company's takeover of the group, which comprises Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports. The firm, one of the world's leading private airport operators, completed the acquisition of AGS Airports in January in a deal worth £1.53billion. Now, it has outlined details of what is claimed to be the 'single largest investment programme in AGS' since it was formed in 2014. READ MORE: Huge retailer opens shiny new Glasgow Airport store READ MORE: Glasgow Airport's pick-up and drop-off charges for Summer 2025 As part of the investment, Glasgow Airport's main terminal building will undergo a 'comprehensive transformation'. The programme will also direct investment into airfield infrastructure and energy efficiency initiatives. AviAlliance is a wholly owned subsidiary of PSP Investments. Meanwhile, PSP Investments is a long-standing investor in UK infrastructure. It is hoped that the huge investment in the airports will help facilitate the 'accelerated growth of AGS'. READ MORE: Glasgow Airport making major changes to its security procedures READ MORE: Glasgow Airport passengers stuck in 'insane queues' following issue READ MORE: Glasgow-bound flight forced to make emergency landing after taking off On top of Glasgow Airport, Southampton Airport, which completed its 164-metre runway extension in 2023, will undergo redevelopment works within its terminal, while Aberdeen Airport, which is Europe's largest heliport, will see similar investment in its airfield infrastructure. The £350million is also hoped to accelerate AGS' sustainability agenda, including its commitment to achieving net zero for its direct emissions by the mid-2030s. Alongside its investment plans, AviAlliance has also confirmed the appointment of Charles Hammond OBE as the new Chair of AGS. Charles stepped down as Chief Executive of Forth Ports in 2024 after holding the position for 23 years. A qualified lawyer, he joined Forth Ports when it was a publicly run ports and river authority in 1989 as Company Secretary and oversaw the company's move from a publicly listed PLC to private ownership in 2011. (Image: Supplied) Kam Jandu, Chief Executive of AGS Airports, said: 'AGS plays a critical role in driving economic and social prosperity across Scotland and the UK. "We have ambitious plans for the long-term, sustainable growth of our airports, including the strengthening of our connectivity, which underpins the success of the regions we serve. "This significant investment will not only enhance the fabric of our airports, it will enhance the role they currently play in facilitating trade and tourism, and, importantly in generating meaningful employment across the country. 'We are also delighted to welcome Charles on board as our new Chair. "He is joining at what is a very exciting time for AGS and his unrivalled experience will prove invaluable as we work to unlock the next chapter in the group's growth.' Gerhard Schroeder, Managing Director of AviAlliance, said: 'AviAlliance takes a long-term view across all the airports within our portfolio, and this investment will assist AGS in accelerating its plans for delivering a superior passenger experience and growing connectivity. "We are looking forward to working with AGS' regional and national partners over the coming years to realise the full and undoubted potential of Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports.' Charles Hammond OBE, Chair of AGS Airports, said: 'It is an absolute privilege to have been appointed Chair of AGS. "I know Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports very well and I am also well aware of the critical role they play as drivers of regional economic growth across the UK. "With the £350 million investment from our new shareholders now confirmed, I am relishing the opportunity of working with the AGS board, Kam and his executive team, to ensure AGS can play an even greater role in supporting our regions to boost trade and tourism.' Deputy First Minister of Scotland Kate Forbes said: 'This significant investment in Scotland by AGS will bring incredible benefits through improved infrastructure at both Glasgow and Aberdeen airports, and to our wider economy. 'Good international connectivity is key to economic growth in Scotland. "It enables flow of trade, investment, labour and tourism, which will contribute to our prosperity. "Additionally, the commitment to sustainability is welcome as we progress towards a net-zero future.' UK Aviation Minister, Mike Kane MP, said: 'It's fantastic to see AGS Airports investing hundreds of millions of pounds into regional airports, turbocharging economic growth and supporting local jobs and skills right across the country, in line with our Plan for Change. 'This investment will drive forward decarbonisation at airports across the country and support the deployment of new fuels and technologies to contribute to the sustainable growth of the sector.'
