Keith rose to the challenge at airport but now it’s time for him to fly...

Chaplain retires from his dream job after a decade

A Salvation Army officer who has served as chaplain of Glasgow Airport in Paisley for the past ten years is giving up his dream job.

Commissioner Keith Banks of the Salvation Army has been a tower of strength for the hub’s 4,500 employees – and the 30,000 passengers who pass through every day.

Mr Banks can clock up three miles on a busy day and is stopped by everyone, from police officers to cabin crew, returning from overseas.

He’s also been on hand to respond to calls for assistance, from individuals to the demands of a major incident, and offering assistance to distressed passengers and supporting family members.

Despite officially retiring as a Salvation Army officer in 2009, the 76- year- old has remained on active duty to lead the chaplaincy team at the airport.

Yesterday, however , he waved goodbye to begin a less hectic chapter in his life.

“I’ve had a fantastic life as a Salvation Army officer, stretching over many years.

“But being the chaplain at Glasgow Airport really has been the icing on the cake,” he said.

“This is the dream job.

“I couldn’t believe it when I had a phone call one day and the person said: ‘We’ve heard about you, would you like to be a chaplain?’ When I asked where, they said Glasgow Airport. Unbelievable; God’s fingerprints were all over it really.

“I love the magic of airports and aviation. “The airport is like a mini city, a microcosm of the world and all human life is here. And our prayer room, our chaplaincy, is at the heart of it.

“I’m also fortunate that I get so much support from the management here who trust me to do my job. That means a lot to me.”

Born in Reading, and now living in Inverkip, Mr Banks joined the Salvation Army as a teenager.

He was commissioned as an officer in 1964 at the age of 20 and in the years that followed, he led the Salvation Army’s work in Papa New Guinea and was part of the leadership team in Japan.

It was while working in Papua New Guinea that he had a brush with death.

Mr Banks was attacked and robbed by four armed men, who held a gun to his head and pressed a knife against his throat.

Mr Banks revealed he’d always wanted to be an airport chaplain – even as far back as the 1980s when he told his wife Pauline that the only thing he wanted to do when he retired was to be the chaplain at Glasgow Airport.

Incredibly his wish came true in 2009 but it was a bittersweet moment for Keith who was still mourning the death of Pauline six months earlier.

He reckons though she would have been “singing and rejoicing in heaven” when he got the job.

Mr Banks said: “She knew how passionate I was about this role and being in the airport.”

In 2010, Keith introduced the Chaplain’s Charity, which has raised almost £60,000 for organisations such as The Teddy Bear Foundation, British Heart Foundation (Scotland), CHAS, Robin House Children’s Hospice, Teenage Cancer Trust, the Salvation Army, Wish Upon a Star, Make a Wish and Children 1st.

This year Mr Banks was recognised for his chaplaincy and charity work at the Scottish Transport Awards where he received a standing ovation as he collected the Lifetime Contribution award.

Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, Mark Johnston, paid tribute to Keith for his care for staff and passengers.

He said: “Keith has made a huge impact at Glasgow Airport. He really is part of the fabric about everything that is good about the airport. He’s made many friends and supported countless passengers and colleagues throughout all the years he has been here and we will miss him dearly.

“I can honestly say Keith is the kindest person I have ever met.

“That’s why people move towards him. He’s like a magnet for people.

“He walks through the terminal and people want to speak to him and it’s because they know he’s such a supportive human being and that he’s always there for everyone.”

Mr Banks is confident the new-look team of Major Chris Connolly as airport chaplain and Major David Wing as his assistant will, with the help of volunteer support chaplains, serve the airport well.

He said: “I’m delighted that I’m being succeeded by Chris and David. I’m very confident they are going to continue the good work.”

Keith has made a huge impact at Glasgow Airport. He really is part of the fabric about everything that is good. We will miss him dearly Mark Johnston Glasgow Airport