Drop-off charges will be introduced at Glasgow Airport under new plans.

Bosses have revealed the plans for a new pick-up and drop-off facility at the airport.

The proposals come as part of a wider scheme of works aimed at reducing congestion and improving the flow of traffic on the airport's road network.

The current pick-up and drop-off areas will move to the ground floor of a new structure directly opposite the main terminal building.

Construction work is under way and the new pick-up and drop-off zone will open to the public at the end of April.

For the first time, the airport will introduce a charging structure for drop-offs, with customers paying £2 for a stay of up to ten minutes.

A pick-up fee has been in place since 2010 and anyone wishing to use the new combined pick-up and drop-off facility for more than ten minutes should continue to use the short stay car park.

There will be no change in the current arrangements for blue badge holders who are entitled to up to 30 minutes' free parking in the short stay car park.

The airport also says it will continue to offer a free pick-up and drop-off area located in the long stay car park.

Customers can park for free for up to 30 minutes and a shuttle bus, which takes approximately five minutes and runs every ten minutes, will take customers directly to and from the main terminal building.

The upgrade of the airport's wider road network will also involve reversing the traffic flow on St Andrew's Drive where the Holiday Inn Express is located. This will come into effect in March.

A further £4m is being invested in a new consolidated car rental centre which will house all the rental companies that currently operate from Glasgow Airport.

The centre will open on February 13 and is located next to terminal two.

Amanda McMillan, managing director at Glasgow Airport, said: "This investment represents one of the most significant upgrades to our road network in over ten years.

"In addition to addressing the very real issue of congestion, it will allow us to accommodate the marked increase in vehicles now using our road system and deal with recent and expected growth.

"It has been apparent for some time that our current drop-off area, which suffers from severe congestion on a daily basis, is simply no longer fit for purpose.

"It was implemented at a time when we were carrying 6.5 million passengers, however, we have since enjoyed sustained growth and are now fast approaching the 10 million mark.

"It is also the case that people travelling to and from the airport are wholly dependent on road access and the current arrangements are unable to cope with such a large volume of traffic. It is important, therefore, that we have a safe and efficient system in place."

She added: "I appreciate that not everyone will be supportive of the new charging structure, however, we will always continue to provide a free option.

"We have resisted introducing a drop-off charge despite most airports of our size having similar arrangements in place for many years, however, having exhausted all possible alternatives we have now reached a point whereby a chargeable facility is the only way to address congestion, discourage non-airport traffic and encourage best use of our road network."