Glasgow Prestwick airport wants bigger share of Scottish market

[October 31st 2008]

Glasgow Prestwick airport has released its draft Master Plan and is aiming to compete with Edinburgh and Glasgow airports for Scottish air passengers.

Prestwick airport wants to more than double its number of passengers from 2.5 million this year to 5.7 million by the end of 2018. And by 2033 the airport hopes to be serving almost 12 million passengers.

“We expect to gain a greater share of the Scottish market and our growth will provide more travel opportunities, deliver more visitors, and create more business opportunities and jobs," says Glasgow Prestwick airport chief executive, Mark Rodwell.

“Our growth predictions are based on the greater of three possible growth scenarios and it assumes that a number of business opportunities come to fruition, as well as new developments in the domestic, European and long haul markets," Rodwell explains.

To meet the predicted passenger growth, Prestwick airport plans to develop the main terminal building and add new airport car parking spaces. Road and rail links to the airport will also be improved.

“At the moment more than 20% of our passengers travel to and from the airport by rail but we believe that with improvements to the service this can rise to more than 30% and that is our aim," Rodwell says.

The draft Master Plan also looks at environmental and planning issues and explains how the airport aims to minimise any adverse impacts caused by its growth.

“We are confident the airport will continue to play a crucial part in the economic, tourism and business sectors of Ayrshire and Scotland," states Rodwell.

Members of the public and key stakeholders can have their say about the draft Master Plan until December 19th. After the consultation period Glasgow Prestwick airport will consider the responses before releasing its final Master Plan early next year.

Written by: Nick Purdom