Prestwick reports sixth year of operating profit – Daily Business

Glasgow Prestwick Airport has reported its sixth consecutive year of operating profit and said it expects cargo volumes to treble this year.

Operating profit was up by £300,000 to £3.5 million the year to 31 March 2025 and it has already achieved its annual target in the first six months to September 2025.

In the last 18 months the state-owned Ayrshire airport has reinvested £10m in the airfield, ground services equipment and security.

Over the last three years it has captured a larger share of the cargo freighter market, creating an alternative UK cargo gateway for Asia.

In May this year two Chinese flagship carriers opened bases at the Airport bringing scheduled daily service to China, which is transformational for the airport in its scale.

The British Chambers of Commerce recently warned that tariffs on low value imports from China are a potential disruption to traffic.

However, Prestwick CEO Ian Forgie said: “Cargo volumes are set to treble in 2025/26 with the airport currently handling 21 wide-bodied freighters a week and more than 3,800 tonnes of cargo a month.

“This has created more than 150 jobs at the airport this year, generating new training opportunities and boosting growth for Ayrshire and the wider Scottish economy.

“Additionally, this positions Prestwick Airport as a first-class export gateway for Scottish exports such as high value seafood and whisky which are in high demand in mainland China and Hong Kong.”

Last month the Scottish government announced that talks with a potential bidder, later reported to be Turkish conglomerate Limak, had broken down following a UK national security review.

Limak, whose interests span construction, energy, cement and tourism, is understood to have been selected by the Scottish government as preferred bidder to buy Glasgow Prestwick airport.

But the takeover has collapsed in the wake of Westminster officials opening an investigation

It is the second time a buyer has pulled out since the Scottish government bought the airport from Infratil in 2013 for £1.

While it has become operationally profitable it has substantial outstanding loans from the Scottish Government.

The airport directly employs more than 450 staff and, together with the successful Prestwick Aerospace cluster, supports more than 3,300 full time equivalent jobs.

Prestwick Airport’s reputation for handling military customers from NATO-aligned countries is well known, most notably the RAF, the US Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force.

President Trump, Sir Keir Starmer, and the President of the European Commission were among high profile visitors.

In addition, the Royal Navy operating base at the Airport continues to serve as an important location from which to protect the UK’s nuclear deterrent, with the Airport an important strategic partner for the MoD.

Ryanair celebrated its 30th year of passenger operations at Prestwick in 2024 and the Airport enjoyed a successful passenger season with additional frequencies added and a 4% year on year increase in passenger numbers.

The airport remains an important base for Ryanair which operates an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility on site, employing more than 600 workers. In November 2024 Ryanair completed a £5m investment in its training facility on the airport campus, which will create up to 500 engineer and mechanic training positions.

Prestwick chair Willie Mackie said the profits growth was “clear evidence” that the airport’s strategic focus is not only working but setting a strong foundation for long-term success.

“The performance this financial year to date has been exceptional. The last six months and in particular the growth in the airport’s cargo operations has been truly transformational,” he said.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes added: “These impressive results show that Glasgow Prestwick Airport continues to be a valuable economic asset for both Ayrshire and Scotland.

“This strong performance would not have been possible without the work of the management team, the board and the workforce, which has established an excellent reputation for service quality in a competitive international market.

“I am determined to see Glasgow Prestwick Airport continue to grow and prosper. The fact the airport has already achieved its revenue targets for 2025/26 six months early is testament to the strengths and strategic direction the airport is developing in an incredibly competitive market.”