GLASGOW Airport needs a range of transport options including a rail link to and from the city centre for future success, according to management.
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael visited the airport with Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson and Renfrewshire Council leader Mark Macmillan to see recent improvements and discuss future plans.
The City Deal, approved last year, provides Glasgow and surrounding councils with £1.13 billion to invest in projects that will create jobs and provide long-term infrastructure.
A rail link to the airport is one of the key projects that will be funded by the city deal cash.
The UK Government pledged £500m which was matched by the Scottish Government with the rest coming from the councils.
Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said improving transport access was essential for the airport.
She said: "Glasgow is Scotland's economic powerhouse and the City Deal presents a fantastic opportunity to deliver a real step change in terms of improving infrastructure, strengthening our economy and bolstering the labour market.
"Convenient and reliable access by a range of modes of transport is of fundamental importance to the operation and success of any airport.
"Glasgow Airport is no different in that regard."
Mr Matheson praised the efforts of the airport in recent years to deliver growth to the area.
He said: "It is vital that we do all we can to ensure that Glasgow Airport retains its position as the gateway to Scotland, so I am delighted that, thanks to our £1.13bn City Deal, work will soon start on a new rail link between the airport and the city centre.
"This improved connectivity will benefit passengers and businesses. But more than that, it will bring new jobs during construction and significant benefits to the economy of west central Scotland."
The leaders visited the newly refurbished terminal building and heard the airport's plans for increasing the number of routes served direct from Glasgow adding to the 20 new routes delivered last year.
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