People have been urged to have their say on the future of air travel in Scotland as a series of consultation events got off the ground in Glasgow.

A conference in the city marked the start of a series of seminars planned in the coming months.

The event featured debates on issues including airport capacity, route development and services to remote communities.

Delegates were also told that there was no "hidden agenda" in the proposals.

The consultation document sets out a range of options and we must discuss and explore all these options fully

Jim Wallace Deputy First Minister

The government is currently consulting on plans to expand to meet increasing demand.

Those proposals, which were unveiled by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling in July, include the creation of a new runway in Scotland by 2030.

Options include extending the runways at Edinburgh and Glasgow airports, or creating an extra runway at either of the two airports.

The government is seeking views on whether either of the two airports should become a "hub" for air travel.

Business breakfasts

There are also questions over whether extra capacity should be concentrated at one or two Scottish airports or spread across the country.

Delegates from industry, business and local authorities were discussing these questions at the Future Development of Air Transport in Scotland conference on Monday.

Speakers included Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell, who said number of business breakfasts and seminars would be held across Scotland in the coming weeks.

The proposals were unveiled in July

She urged anyone with an interest to make their views known.

"It is vital that every key player in the industry and those who use the aviation sector help shape the future by getting involved in this consultation exercise," she said.

"The decisions made at the end of this consultation will help us determine the development of the aviation industry in Scotland over the next half century.

"It is therefore important that everybody has a chance to get involved, and that people use that chance to full effect."

Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace delivered the keynote speech to open the conference.

Extensive progress

He said: "The aviation industry is critical to Scotland's future.

"It is important that we have an open and informed debate on how best to ensure that rising demand for air transport benefits all Scottish airports and communities.

"The aviation consultation launched in July is focusing on genuine engagement and today's conference kick-starts the extensive process in Scotland."

Helen Liddell spoke at the conference

He stressed that there were no preconceived ideas about how the extra capacity would be created.

"There is no hidden agenda," he said.

"The consultation document sets out a range of options and we must discuss and explore all these options fully.

"All airports have the opportunity to develop to their strengths."

Those attending the conference also included Mr Darling and Scottish Transport Minister Iain Gray.