A pounds -250m master plan for Scotland's largest airport, which is expected to create 28,000 jobs, was unveiled yesterday.
The blueprint for Glasgow airport was outlined by BAA Scotland, its operator, and could involve the creation of a second runway.
The report details levels of investment in the airport over the next 10 years and covers plans for more direct long-haul routes and an extra terminal.
Passenger numbers at Glasgow have increased by more than 60% over the past decade, rising from 5.4 million in 1995 to almost 8.7 million.
The plan predicts that by 2015 the airport could handle between 12 and 15 million passengers, with about 125,000 annual landings and take-offs.
Beyond then, it could be handling up to 24 million passengers, with more than half travelling direct to and from international destinations.
More aircraft stands will be needed for bigger aircraft, particularly as the airport continues to attract new destinations.
In order to meet passenger growth, the terminal will be extended and reconfigured to provide more check-in desks, baggage systems and departure lounges. The first stage of this development programme, a pounds -6m expansion of the terminal's international wing, is underway and due for completion this year.
Stephen Baxter, managing director of Glasgow airport, said: "As we glimpse into the future, we see an airport serving Scotland's largest city, generating hundreds of millions of pounds for the Scottish economy every year and creating thousands of new jobs. Its impact on employment, travel, tourism and the economy will be considerable."
Within the next 10 years, a second international pier and 10 aircraft stands will also be built to the west of the existing international pier, to cater for the forecast growth in international travel.
Should passenger numbers grow at a higher rate than forecast and Glasgow were to develop a twin parallel runway by 2030, it is possible an additional terminal would be built.
The outline plan also calls for improvements to the M8 between junctions 26 and 29 to allow traffic to access the road safely.
Lesley Sawers, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: "These outline proposals signal major investment in the city's transport infrastructure, creating thousands of jobs and will support Glasgow's position as the fastest growing business tourism destination in Europe."
A 2002 study by the Fraser of Allander Institute found that Glasgow airport contributed more than pounds -700m a year to the economy and supported 15,700 jobs across Scotland, with more than 5000 people directly employed at the airport.
As the airport expands, the number of people directly employed there is forecast to rise to 8200 in 2015 and to 12,000 by 2030, an increase of some 7000 jobs.
If the number of indirect employment opportunities increases in line with recent trends, a further 21,000 jobs could be created, according to BAA.
Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, said:
"More passengers will mean more jobs and an increase in our already successful tourism market.
"These proposals prove that Glasgow airport has huge ambition and now has a concrete foundation from which those ambitions will be achieved."
Jim Harkins, Renfrewshire Council's leader, said the preparation of the master plan was a requirement of the government's white paper on the Future of Air Transport.
He added: "We will consider the master plan in detail and respond through the consultation process."
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