Airport should be treated as national asset - John McLellan

But there appeared to be consensus that something needed to be done to improve travel to the airport. “The status quo is not an option,” said transport convener Scott Arthur. Sadly, little has changed, and now the airport is taking the council to court amid claims that it wasn’t properly consulted about the masterplan which stymied the road.

Whatever efforts were made to reach agreement the airport does not feature prominently in the masterplan finalised in December. It’s as if the airport is a barrier to development, not a key partner in shaping a whole new suburb, and references to transport links seem grudging at best.

“There is an option for a potential airport access route which would include public transport,” it says. “If cars are to use this road, this will only be supported if there are a range of measures provided which improve public transport to the airport.”

It shouldn’t be a surprise from an authority which is so firmly anti-private car, but the airport is by some way Scotland’s busiest and as passengers travel from far and wide, many by car, it should be treated as a national asset, not just another local business.

Council leader Cammy Day says he hopes officers can work with the airport to find a solution, but fear of losing court cases rarely concentrates their minds.