Glasgow Airport marks 50th anniversary milestone with visit from The Princess Royal

Her Royal Highness was treated to a musical performance from the Royal Marine Band at the International Arrivals area, where she was received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Renfrewshire, Guy Clark, and Glasgow Airport managing director Amanda McMillan OBE.

Princess Anne met with dignitaries and guests on arrival including East Dunbartonshire Provost Una Walker, who in her earlier career as a police officer escorted Her Majesty The Queen when she officially opened Glasgow Airport on June 27, 1966.

The Princess Royal was given a tour of the main terminal and met with current staff members and previous employees who worked at the airport when it first opened half a century ago. Members of the Glasgow Philharmonic Choir also performed a version of ‘Caledonia’ before Princess Anne unveiled a special plaque marking the airport’s 50 years of operation. 

Representatives of local community groups and charities to benefit from Glasgow Airport’s Flightpath Fund, including Drumchapel Table Tennis Club and Paisley Thread Mill, were also introduced to The Princess Royal. To date, the fund has awarded over £1 million to more than 350 charities and community groups since its introduction in 2010.

Today’s airport tour then culminated in a visit to the Airfield Operations Tower to observe a low-level flypast by two Royal Air Force Hawk jets.

Following the royal visit, Amanda McMillan said: “It was an honour to welcome The Princess Royal to Glasgow Airport once again.

“Given Princess Anne’s affinity with the airport, and the fact The Queen herself performed the official opening ceremony 50 years previous, today’s visit was a fitting way to mark our golden anniversary.

“I was particularly pleased The Princess Royal recognised the hard work and dedication not only of those instrumental in our humble beginnings half a century ago, but that she had a clear appreciation of the effort made day in, day out by the people who make Glasgow Airport the success it is today.”    

Further information on some of the highlights from Glasgow Airport’s 50-year history can be found at www.glasgowairport.com.

For further information please contact:

Brian McClean                                                Peter Carroll
Head of Communications                            Communications Manager
Glasgow Airport                                             Glasgow Airport
0141 848 4558                                                0141 848 4737
07754 390160                                                 07950 531199
brian.mcclean@glasgowairport.com         peter.carroll@glasgowairport.com