by Socceroo » Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:04 pm
Article from 18th October 1947 (The Scotsman)
RENFREW AIRPORT
----------------------------
Many Developments Anticipated
----------------------------------------
BARRIERS TO EXTENSION
From our own reporter
Renfrew is an airport with a considerable future. Not only is it to be developed as the hub of Continental and internal airline traffic in Scotland, but it has gained further importance through the decision of British Airways Corporation to make it the headquarters of their British division.
A word of explanation is needed on that point. Of the former three divisions of B.E.A. – Continental, English (centred at Speke, Liverpool) and Scottish (centred at Renfrew) – there are now to be only two. The English and Scottish divisions are being merged and based at Renfrew. This may seem unusual to Scottish observers, but a glance at the B.E.A. network of air routes – at present somewhat reduced because of economy cuts – will show Renfrew to be near the centre.
It is also in the area of one of the largest masses of population outside London, is 15 minutes by bus from the Centre of Glasgow, and is conveniently placed for the city’s affinity with the Western Isles.
The flying field dates back to the Royal Flying Corps in 1914 – 15, and owes its continued existence in more recent times to the Scottish Flying Club. To-day it is one of 13 State airports in Scotland, with an airport commandant Mr B.A. Oakley, and manager Mr C.S. Appleby.
EXPANSION LIMITED
Mr Oakley said, “We hope that within the next 12 or 18 months there will be very real developments here. By that I mean developments in a big way. I cannot give details at present because the policy has not been finally approved by higher authority, although it is virtually approved. These developments will put Renfrew really on the map and Scotland as a whole will be able to be proud of it. Terminal buildings will be one of the measures we hope to incorporate in the expansion which I envisage, but that will depend on material, priorities and manpower.”
While the purpose of developing Renfrew is to make it the major European Terminal in Scotland, Renfrew does not seek to compete with Prestwick, the main function of which is to handle Transatlantic traffic. The two will be complimentary. The ideal, of course, would be that the two should co-operate. There is an obvious need for an air service between the two airports. At present there is not even a bus service between them.
Lying on Glasgow’s fringe, Renfrew is limited in its possibilities of expansion. It looks onto the back of Hillington Industrial Estate; some distance off are the cranes and derricks of King George V Dock, and close to the main runway is Arkleston Cemetery, which is an effective barrier. The two runways are 2000 yards and 1350 yards long, not much shorter than those at Prestwick, but only half as wide at 50 yards. The scheme for a third runway is in abeyance, and it is intended to concentrate on extending the second runway southwards for about 500 to 600 yards.
TECHNICAL AIDS
The airport has various approach aids and is being equipped with all the technical aids that are considered necessary. G.C.A. (Ground Controlled Approach) is undergoing tests now with a view to installation. As a result of work done during the past summer the airport is completely equipped for night landings.
At present Renfrew has about 140 aircraft movements a week, 90 of which are B.E.A. and has services to London, Belfast, the Isles, Dublin and Copenhagen. This is the winter schedule, plus charter flights. In summer these figures are doubled. During the summer months the airport handled up to 14,000 passengers a month, and in the first nine months of the year the number was 60,500.
Last edited by
Socceroo on Sat Jan 28, 2006 6:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.