Airport operator BAA Glasgow is to pump millions of pounds of investment into the terminal at Glasgow Airport this year. Bosses at BAA have revealed a 50% leap in capital spend for 2008 which will see the amount of money invested in terminal improvements rise from £16m in 2007 to almost £25m this year.

Much of the cash injection is earmarked for the massive 4000 sq metre skhub extension currently under construction and due for completion in October. Other improvements are likely to include a refresh of facilities in the main terminal, including new flooring, improved lighting and additional seating. Additional security improvements along the airport forecourt are also likely to be included in the investment plan.

Managing director Gordon Dewar said: "It promises to be an exciting year for the city's airport, with a massive 50% increase in infrastructure spend, including the biggest single investment made by BAA Glasgow for a generation, the new skyhub development.

"When it opens in nine months time, skyhub will transform the experience for passengers using Glasgow Airport, offering state of the art security screening, and a wider choice of bars, shops and restaurants for a fast, safe and enjoyable airport experience.

"This investment underlines BAA's commitment to Glasgow Airport, and to the west of Scotland, for the long term. It is an investment plan that puts passengers first, and will deliver a higher standard of service for our passengers."

Meanwhile, Glasgow Airport is to close its little used secondary runway, in a move designed to release additional funds for new front line staff and improvements to the main terminal.

Opened in the 1960s, the runway would need significant investment to maintain the same standard as the main runway.

However, in recent years, the volume of aircraft using the short runway has dropped dramatically. In 2006/07, it handled just 257 flights - less than one a day, and 0.3% of the airport's overall traffic.

Its short length - less than half the length of the main runway - means that it is only suitable for use by small aircraft and cannot accommodate the vast majority of airport types operating from Glasgow Airport. Existing users of the short runway will be able to use the main runway, weather permitting. Therefore its closure will have little, if any, impact on the normal day to day operation of the airport.

The closure of the short runway was proposed in the 25 year Glasgow Airport Master Plan, published for consultation in 2005, then revised in 2006.

Mr Dewar said: "With so few flights now operating from the short runway, it makes no commercial sense to invest in a facility that is scarcely used. We believe it makes better sense to invest our resources in front line staff and terminal improvements, such as the ongoing £30 million skyhub extension, that benefit all of our passengers."

BAA Glasgow is writing to local politicians, businesses and aircraft operators to advise them of the closure plan. A date for the eventual closure of the short runway will be agreed following discussion with users of the runway.