I refer to K Houston's letter regarding Prestwick Airport (Letters, June 19) in which he refers to Northwest Airlines' operation at that time.
I am afraid Mr Houston is quite wrong in his assessment of the situation of that time. I was the general manager of Northwest Airlines over that period and Northwest did not operate from either Prestwick or Glasgow to New York then: it flew to Boston.
More important, however, is Mr Houston's erroneous assertion British Airports Authority objected to an application by Northwest to fly from Glasgow Airport to the US. No such application was made by myself on behalf of Northwest nor was any supposed application rejected. What happened was that in 1990, after considerable public, business, and political pressure, the restriction for all transatlantic operations from Scotland to operate exclusively from Prestwick was rescinded.
Immediate to that, on behalf of Northwest Airlines, I indicated our desire to move to Glasgow Airport and the first scheduled airline transatlantic flight from Glasgow was operated by Northwest in the May of that year, followed by American Airlines and Air Canada a few weeks later, and later still, British Airways. BAA at all times was enthusiastic and supportive despite the lack of check-in facilities and they swiftly erected the building now known as T2 to overcome this. I have no knowledge of a fully-laden aircraft taking off from Glasgow and dropping in to Prestwick to comply with the regulations although I have to say it sounds unlikely and in my position at that time I am sure I would have been aware of it, although on one occasion after Northwest moved to Glasgow, due to a fuel issue, an aircraft did put into Prestwick to take on more fuel.
Sadly, Northwest Airlines no longer exists, having been bought over by Delta Airlines, but the spirit lives on.
Bob Buntin,
G/F1 Morland House,
Longhill, Skelmorlie.
I suspect the recent controversy over Prestwick Airport will not have escaped the notice of a certain Mr Donald Trump.
In view of his recent acquisition of the prestigious Turnberry Hotel and Course, money would appear to be no obstacle.
The £10 million proposed investment by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is a mere bagatelle to Mr Trump as he possibly envisages a new creative import/export golfing industry at Prestwick. As for a new name perhaps Bard of Scotia would satisfy his own gratification in this to date unconsidered venture.
Whilst I fantasise, I am reminded of the old adage "many a thing said in jest". To that end we should all be alert as to further signs of trumpetry in our land.
Allan C Steele,
22 Forres Avenue,
Giffnock.
I am disappointed by the decision that Prestwick Airport is not to be renamed Robert Burns International and find the explanation after a £100,000 consultation airy-fairy.
But with the recent cringe-worthy "pure dead brilliant" slogan still an embarrassing memory I am relieved my fears that a re-think might lead to rebranding as the Rab C Nesbitt International are groundless.
R Russell Smith,
96 Milton Road,
Kilbirnie.
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