Glasgow Airport passengers faced with six-hour delays

The alarm was raised shortly after 6am when as a suspicious item was found within a passenger’s bag in the airport’s search area.

After being told to leave the airport's main terminal and gather in the multi-storey car park many passengers hoped their flights would still go ahead, albeit later in the day.

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Brenda Anderson, 63, from Johnstone, and Ann Clarke, 59, from Paisley, were supposed to fly out to Gran Canaria at 10.45am for a cruise. 

Brenda said: “When we arrived, there were lots and lots of people as well as police and the fire brigade. 

“We were inside for about an hour before we were moved out. 

“The airport staff have come around to apologise and we’ve been given water and blankets. What more can they do? 

“It’s not their fault and I’d rather be safe because there genuinely is something going on there.” 

Sandra Cuevas, 24, and Natividad Fernandez, 30, from Spain, arrived at 7am.

Sandra said: “Everyone was inside on the bottom level before the security gates, waiting for them to open. 

“We were in Glasgow for a concert and now I’m going to Berlin.” 

Natividad added: “And I’m going to Dublin.”  

Sandra said: “We haven’t heard about our flights, they’ve not been cancelled yet but no one has told us if they’re going to be rescheduled. 

“It’s not been that bad. They’ve been taking care of us the best that they can. We completely understand.” 

Laura, 55, and Ian Snee, 58, from Kirriemuir in Angus, had been at the airport since 7am.

Ian said: "This isn't our usual airport departure.

"But everyone's been looking after each other, and that's what security is there for, to keep everybody safe.

"We're just cold, but things are starting to move now so we think we'll get a flight today."

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Laura added: "When we got in, we were there for about half-an-hour, then we were told the whole airport was getting evacuated."

Laura said that everyone seemed to be okay and that communication with their airline had been good.

Kevin Falconer, 63, from Prestwick, said: "We came in at 6.15am and got checked in by half past.

"We went into the airport, and we were told there was no movement, and then we were evacuated.

"We're feeling a bit fed up and sore now. My friend with me is 81 and he's quite painful now as well.

“Hopefully we’ll get our flight today.”

David Reilly, 56, from East Kilbride, said: "I've been here since 6am this morning.

"I'm cold but it's been alright. I've met some folk and been blethering away and it's passed the time."

Despite the circumstances, David said the atmosphere had been "quite upbeat".

He said: "People are just getting on with it.

"We're heading out to Tenerife, so hopefully we'll get a flight out today, even later tonight.

"It's just one of those things, it can't be helped."

Jennifer Brand, 58, from Fort Augustus in the Highlands, was on her way to Gran Canaria when the evacuation occurred.

She said: "We're so cold, we wish they could just let us in to get a bit of heat.

"The staff have been very helpful though, but we haven't had any information even though our flight was meant to be this morning.

"We've just been standing around for a while."

Allison Minton, 51, and Alan Andrews, 51, from Texas, arrived at the airport at 8.15am.

Allison said: "They haven't really said anything."

While Andrew added: "The online board said our flight has been delayed by about an hour and a half.”

The pair said the atmosphere at the airport had been "okay”, but that older people seem to be suffering from the cold. They too were "freezing".

Andrew said: "There's nothing you can do about it, so it's fine, but hopefully we'll hear something soon."