T2 should be open by May 2004

Airport operator, BAA Scotland, said Glasgow Airport's "T2" was being introduced to meet rising demand, primarily from no-frills airlines.

Work is already under way at the existing St Andrew's Building and the terminal is scheduled to open in May this year.

Glasgow is the first major airport in Scotland to develop two terminals.

'Ambitious project'

Also included in the development will be four new aircraft parking stands, a �1.8m hold baggage screening system and a new facility to expand the airport's recycling facilities.

The terminal project is part of a �1bn investment package by BAA Scotland at its three Scottish airports over the next 20 years.

Stephen Baxter, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said the development was "an ambitious project and a significant investment".

"As Glasgow Airport gets busier, particularly over the next 12 months, there is a need for new terminal capacity to meet the new demand from our new services," he said.

"We are putting that capacity in now, ahead of the need, to ensure a straightforward and efficient hand-over to the airlines in May."

Over the next two years, BAA Scotland will be investing the equivalent of more than �1m a week in Scotland's main airports Donal Dowds BAA Scotland

The project will involve the complete renovation of the St Andrew's building, with a doubling of floor-space and the installation of nine additional check-in desks.

T2 will be connected directly to the main terminal building with a covered walkway.

Donald Dowds, managing director of BAA Scotland, said: "This is a further considerable investment in Glasgow Airport's infrastructure and is part of our wider, �200m development programme at the airport to increase capacity in line with the expected long-term growth in demand.

"Over the next two years, BAA Scotland will be investing the equivalent of more than �1m a week in Scotland's main airports at Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

New destinations

"It reinforces this company's commitment to Scotland and to providing high-quality facilities and a strong direct international route network, supporting our communities, the economy, the business world and the tourism industry."

Recent figures from BAA Scotland showed that Glasgow Airport handles more than 8.1 million passengers a year.

Next summer, the airport will handle 90 additional flights a week and serve 21 new destinations.

The new terminal was welcomed by Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce.

Chief executive, Liz Cameron, said: "Glasgow Airport is an integral part of Renfrewshire's business portfolio as well as being Scotland's airport transport hub.

"It can now position itself in being able to offer the type of service budget airlines want and still maintain the quality services to other airlines."