The ceremony on December 3 coincided with a pledge by airport operator BAA Glasgow to invest millions of pounds upgrading airport facilities, in advance of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The new security search area, one of the largest of its kind in the UK, is part of a £31m terminal extension at Glasgow Airport.
The facility uses the latest x-ray screening technology to screen passengers and their hand luggage, with 10 aTiX x-ray machines currently in place, and capacity for a further four, when required. The 4,000 square metre development also includes a new ground floor UK arrivals hall, more space to relax, and new shops, bars and restaurants.
Once through security, passengers enjoy access to the full range of bars, shops, restaurants and lounges available throughout the main terminal. Further improvements are underway in the third, and final, stage of the £31m project, as the airport’s former security search areas - now closed to passengers - are transformed into seating areas, fashion stores and catering outlets.
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The First Minister was joined at Glasgow Airport by Councillors Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, and Derek Mackay, Leader of Renfrewshire Council. Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, thanked BAA's partners, including Balfour Beatty and 3DReid, for delivering the project on time and on budget, and paid tribute to airport staff for their help in ensuring a 'faultless' launch of the new terminal extension.
Already, more than 300,000 departing passengers have passed through the new search area since it opened to passengers at the end of October.
Amanda McMillan said: "This investment will provide the capacity we need to develop Glasgow Airport into a modern 21st century gateway for the west of Scotland."
Mrs McMillan said BAA Glasgow would continue to invest at Glasgow Airport over the next decade, including a multi-million pound investment package to upgrade and refurbish the terminal building in advance of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "We recently launched a new tourism action plan aimed at increasing the number of visitors to Glasgow and turning tourism in the city into a £1bn industry. Glasgow Airport will obviously be a crucial partner in helping us to achieve those goals."
The new terminal extension was designed by architects 3DReid and built by Balfour Beatty over an 18 month period.
(GK/JM)
