Airport team flying high at business deal
Paisley and China have been brought closer together thanks to top business deal.
Glasgow Airport and Shanghai Airport Authority have joined forces to petition for a direct link between Scotland and Asian terminals.
The partnership will promote each country as a trading and holiday destination and call for a route to be created.
Francois Bourienne, commercial director at Glasgow Airport, says the jet hub could become a powerhouse city for cross-continental business.
He said:“This is a unique opportunity to work alongside and share ideas with our new colleagues, who are responsible for operating the Chinese mega-city’s two main airports, handling in excess of 100 million passengers combined annually.
“The alliance will ensure both partners not only learn from one another, but work together to further enhance the growing business and tourism links between Scotland and China.
“As well as being the country’s leading long-haul airport, Glasgow is a popular gateway to Scotland for hundreds of thousands of visitors from the Asia each year. This partnership will seek to build on this.” Mr Bourienne says the exchange will provide a“very real prospect”of introducing a direct air link.
The partnership will see the airports work together to share expertise and best practice in all aspects of business and exchange ideas in order to help promote tourism opportunities.
Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, says the deal could bring massive financial benefits to both countries.
He said:“China is at the top of our international trade priority list, with Shanghai one of its most strategically important cities.
“There are enormous opportunities in China which has gone through three decades of extraordinary change and where the Scottish Chambers of Commerce has been active in developing connections.”