GMB Scotland has urged Scotland’s industry and politicians not to waste the “once-in-a-generation’ opportunity provided by the UK government’s decision to approve the expansion at Heathrow Airport.

Transport secretary Chris Grayling this week announced plans to press ahead with a third runway at the UK’s sole hub airport three years after it was recommended by a government-appointed commission into expanding Heathrow or rival Gatwick.

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Scottish Government and Heathrow Airport in October 2016 on the airport’s expansion committed to the creation of 16,000 jobs in Scotland, with a £200m share of construction work and £10 million of investment in new domestic routes.

The ten Scottish sites in the running to host a logistics hub which will participate in the off-site construction for the new runway were revealed in March.

Union GMB, which has campaigned for Heathrow expansion over the last two decades, said the expansion provides an opportunity to grow employment in airports like Glasgow, which currently employs 4,500 staff and generates over £150 million a year for the regional economy.

GMB Scotland senior organiser, Louise Gilmour, said: “Heathrow’s expansion is about far more than the status of the airport as Britain’s global hub. The bigger prize is the significant multiplier effect of this expansion which should mean jobs and growth for Scotland.

The increased capacity of a third runway should mean more domestic flights, greater connectivity and significant opportunities for our civil aviation sector and the supply chains to develop on their existing operations and compete for new infrastructure contracts.

“For staff directly employed in the sector, Heathrow expansion should mean sustaining and growing jobs in services like ground and cargo handling and aircraft maintenance and repair; defending jobs, wages and communities from Renfrewshire to the Highlands.

“Make no mistake, this is a ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity to boost our economy and we cannot afford to waste it. We need everyone to pull together across industry, politics and the trade unions to take advantage of the benefits.

“There is still some distance left to travel but today’s decision is good news for workers in the civil aviation sector, good news for prosperity in their communities and ultimately, good news for Scotland.”

Liz Cameron OBE, director & chief executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce, added: “Now is the time for Parliament to demonstrate that the UK is open for business.

“Expanding UK’s aviation capacity by giving the thumbs up for Heathrow’s third runway is critical in boosting our position in the global economy, and will provide much-needed confidence to international investors and our trading allies.

“Scotland’s business community will look to MPs to ‘green light’ this vital infrastructure project, unlocking economic growth and jobs creation in Scotland and the UK.”