A plan to connect the airport to the city directly from Glasgow Central Station, also stopping at Paisley Gilmour Street station, was put forward as part of the £1.13 billion Glasgow City Region deal agreed in 2014, but the “badly needed” project has not yet started due to concerns over capacity issues outlined in a 2017 report.

It had been expected the link would be constructed from 2022 and would be operational by 2025.

Speaking at the Scottish Parliament yesterday, Labour MSP Colin Smyth urged the government to put forward its plans and deliver the Glasgow Airport link.

He stated: “To our shame, it’s the largest UK airport that isn’t served by rail, a rail link is badly needed.

“Failure to tackle capacity at Central Station does not justify the lack of action, the lack of commitment from the Scottish Government to the Glasgow Airport rail link.

“The Scottish Government and Transport Scotland need to work with the Glasgow city region partners to find solutions, not more excuses.

“They need to get on with building a rail link that will benefit not just Glasgow but all of Scotland.”

Conservative MSP Jamie Greene said his party were in full agreement that the rail link needs to be “progressed as a matter of urgency,” and stated there were clear and vital reasons why the project should go ahead.

Scottish Green Party MSP Andy Wightman also indicated his party would join the calls to progress the plans.

Mr Wightman said: “We’re not great fans of airports but as long as they exist they should be accessible by public transport.”

Transport secretary Michael Matheson indicated the proposals would be under discussion next week.

Mr Matheson said: “I’ve got a meeting next week with the key parties on that particular issue and will look to make progress with it at that particular meeting.”