BOSSES at Glasgow Prestwick Airport want to lure more foreign air forces to Ayrshire in a bid to help plug a multi-million pound gap in the struggling state-owned facility's finances.
Around six military aircraft every day are already touching down at the Scottish Government's airport, with bosses keen to expand the business by actively pursuing formal deals with armed forces from across the globe.
In 2014-15, the British, American, Canadian, Belgian, Dutch, French and Kuwaiti air forces used Prestwick for activities including military exercises, training flights and fuel stops. In total 2077 military flights arrived at the airport in 12 months, a rise of more than 10 per cent on the previous year.
Moves to promote the airport to militaries across the world drew criticism in some quarters, amid fears it may be indirectly aiding foreign military interventions that the SNP publicly condemns or is opening the door to assisting brutal regimes.
Most of the air forces already using Prestwick are engaged in bombing IS in Iraq, a move the SNP opposed. The party has also been outspoken about its opposition to the bombing campaign in Syria, in which both the Canadian and American air forces are actively engaged.
The Scottish Government said Prestwick was being run on a commercial basis, in line with EU rules, and that who was able to access UK airspace was determined by the Westminster Government.
Neil Findlay, the Labour MSP, accused the Government of trying to deny responsibility for what went on at its own airport.
He said: "The Scottish Government should confirm if they are happy for Scotland to be used as a stopover for military activity and whether they know where the armed forces of these countries have been before coming to Scotland, or where are going to after they move on from Scotland.
"Scotland must not be used as a stopover as they complete or embark on armed conflict. There is something highly questionable about Prestwick being used in this way."
Prestwick promises a "hassle free" service for military flights, with air forces required only to provide the most basic of information about the reason for their visit so that the airport knows the facilities it will be required to provide.
Rules appear not to have been tightened despite Police Scotland launching an investigation in 2013 into alleged CIA use of Scottish airports including Prestwick to transfer terror suspects who were then subjected to what many consider torture. The police probe into extraordinary rendition flights remains ongoing, with claims Scotland was used as a stop off point between the Middle East and the US.
The airport has confirmed that it would be happy to approach any country that was allowed to fly into the UK to offer use of Prestwick, with diplomatic clearances the responsibility of the UK Government.
Airport bosses believe there is a growing opportunity to attract more foreign air forces to Ayrshire, with many countries closing down their own air bases on foreign soil in a bid to save cash.
Keith Brown, the infrastructure secretary, has confirmed Prestwick is "actively pursuing commercial opportunities connected with military aircraft".
The airport announced on Wednesday that its chief operating officer and chief executive had resigned, with the business's chairman admitting that a "radical turnaround" was needed to return it to prosperity.
A spokesman for the airport said: "Prestwick Airport has hosted military aircraft since it opened in 1935. Military aircraft is one of a number of revenue streams at Prestwick, as it is at a number of other UK airports.
"The UK Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority are responsible for determining which airline or country is allowed to operate flights into the UK and the airport would approach any country or airline that was allowed to operate into civilian airports in the UK."
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "In compliance with European Union State Aid rules, Glasgow Prestwick Airport is being operated on a commercial basis and at arm’s length from the Scottish Government.
"The senior management team at the airport has been tasked with all aspects of taking the airport forward, including building on existing revenue streams."
A spokesman for the airport said: "Prestwick Airport has hosted military aircraft since it opened in 1935. Military aircraft is one of a number of revenue streams at Prestwick, as it is at a number of other UK airports. The UK Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority are responsible for determining which airline or country is allowed to operate flights into the UK and the airport would approach any country or airline that was allowed to operate into civilian airports in the UK."
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