More than six miles of track will link Glasgow Airport to Central Station

Transport Minister Tavish Scott said the link with Central Station would boost visitor numbers and the economy.

The �170-210m project will involve the upgrading of track between Glasgow and Paisley as well as laying a mile of new track between Paisley and the airport.

MSPs backed the general principles of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link Bill by 110 votes to one, with no abstentions.

Independent MSP Brian Monteith voted against the proposal.

Many MSPs voiced their concern about whether the line would be viable without a cross-rail connection to Queen Street station in the city.

Mr Scott said the link could create 675 jobs in three to four years and a further 650 over the next 10 years.

There is nothing in the rail link scheme that would inhibit a cross-rail project being taken forward in the future Tavish Scott

He told the Scottish Parliament: "Scotland's position in the world as a place to do business and as a tourist destination depends on this country's global connections.

"Glasgow and Scotland are competing for international business both as a location and a destination.

"To compete we must improve. To improve, we must invest. And invest we will."

Under the plans, the Scottish Executive would be the main funder of the rail link.

'Business case'

However, the minister warned: "The release of our funds is dependent on the continuing development of a robust business case."

The proposed link would provide four trains an hour, with an estimated journey time of 16 minutes.

However, concerns have been raised that without a new cross-rail scheme linking Glasgow Central with Queen Street station, many people - including those travelling from areas such as Inverness, Aberdeen and Dundee - would still be without a direct rail connection.

Mr Scott said: "Ensuring that the rail link and the airports are linked into the wider transport network is a fundamental part of its successful delivery.