Glasgow Prestwick Airport has returned a £3.5m operating profit for the year to 31 March 2025, up £300k from the previous year, and, in the current financial year, has already achieved its annual operating target in the first six months to September 2025.
Overall, in the last 18 months the Airport has reinvested £10m in the airfield, ground services equipment and security to support its ambitious growth plans.
The Airport has successfully established Prestwick Airport as an alternative UK cargo gateway for the Asian market.
In May 25 two Chinese flagship carriers opened bases at the Airport, bringing scheduled daily service to China, which is transformational for the Airport in its scale.
Commenting on the latest results and the outlook for 25-26, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, 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 new 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.
“For the current financial year, the business has exceeded last year’s performance, already achieving its annual operating target in the first six months to Sep 25, and is continuing to build on its success this year. We have also made a significant investment in airfield improvements and new equipment to support our expanding cargo operation.
“The Airport continues to be an important economic driver for the Ayrshire economy, directly employing more than 450 staff and, together with the successful Prestwick Aerospace cluster, supports over 3,300 full time equivalent jobs.
“A recent Economic Impact Assessment undertaken by the Scottish Government estimated that in the Year to 31 March 2023 the Airport generated £26.6m of benefits in GVA terms and unlocked secondary and wider GVA impacts of between £161.4m to £230.8m and £65.4m to £65.8m respectively.”
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.
Its extensive facilities and apron space, and the experience of handling VVIPs was once again proven this summer with the handling of the President of the United States visit to Scotland along with the Prime Minister of the UK, the President of the European Commission and the Vice President of the United States.
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 in its plans now and in the future.