Glasgow Seaplane Terminal

The closure was due to a combination of operational and economic factors. The primary operator, Loch Lomond Seaplanes, cited the 'unacceptable' level of disruption from other river users on the busy River Clyde, including the paddle steamer Waverley and other commercial traffic. Debris in the water also posed a significant and unpredictable safety risk. These frequent disruptions and safety concerns led to numerous cancellations and delays, making the service operationally unreliable and ultimately economically unviable to continue from the city centre location.

The physical infrastructure, a floating pontoon at the specified coordinates, still exists in the Princes Dock Canting Basin on the River Clyde. However, it no longer functions as a seaplane terminal. The pontoon is now used as a general-purpose mooring facility for various vessels, including private boats, service craft, and occasionally for visiting ships like the PS Waverley.

The Glasgow Seaplane Terminal was highly significant as it was the base for the United Kingdom's first commercial, city-centre seaplane service in over 50 years. Operated by Loch Lomond Seaplanes starting circa 2007, it represented a pioneering return of this form of transport. The 'terminal' itself was a floating pontoon on the River Clyde, located next to the SEC Centre and the Crowne Plaza hotel. Its main operation was providing unique tourism and charter flights, offering passengers a direct connection from the heart of urban Glasgow to scenic destinations like Loch Lomond and the remote Scottish Highlands and Islands. It was a notable, albeit short-lived, feature of Glasgow's tourism landscape.

There are currently no known official plans or credible prospects for reopening the seaplane terminal at this location. The fundamental issues that led to its closure—heavy river traffic, debris, and associated safety concerns—remain. The operator, Loch Lomond Seaplanes, has consolidated its successful operations at its primary base at Cameron House on Loch Lomond and has not announced any intention to return to the River Clyde.