PRESTWICK airport has underlined its credentials as a business hub by securing three new lettings through its on-site property operation.
The airport – which is in the process of a major rebranding exercise – is also continuing to push its case to become the UK’s first spaceport.
Chief executive Richard Jenner said the airport, which was rescued from closure by the Scottish Government in 2013, was making good progress in repositioning itself as a business hub for Ayrshire businesses and communities. And that it had potential to be much more.
“As the airport went through a difficult period people began to think that we weren’t here anymore,” he said. “We want them to know that we are and we’re focussing on business development. We’re proactively marketing the airport.”
This has led door supplier Bifold and Sliding Doors Scotland to take a two year lease on a 2,600 sq ft industrial unit in the Alpha Freight area, while winter sports business, Snow Rehab, has more than tripled its office space, moving to a 474 sq ft facility in the airport’s Liberator House.
Liberator House is also home to West of Scotland Psychological Services (WOSPS) which has reinforced its commitment to the airport with a three year lease on a 627 sq ft facility – more than double the size of its previous unit.
Property accounts for approximately 20 per cent of Prestwick’s revenue, and more than three quarters of the available office space is currently occupied, with the airport home to dozens of businesses across a range of industry sectors. From April 1, the Scottish Government is cutting the business rates rebate on vacant properties, adding some urgency to the airport’s strategy.
“We’d prefer aerospace businesses, but if not, we have the space [for others]. It helps us achieve critical mass,” said Mr Jenner, who predicted it would take around five years to make the airport profitable.
“The aim is to reduce the burden, return the business to profitability and return it to the private sector, in a sustainable manner. It’s been like turning a tanker, but there are lots of good signs.”
The UK remaining in the European Union is an important factor in the airport reaching its potential, said Mr Jenner. “I think the aviation industry in general hopes the UK remains in the EU due to [potential changes to] the regulations. I understand that won’t be the priority for some people, but it could affect us.”
Other plans include becoming the first UK airport to obtain pre-clearance for flights to the US.
The airport has also had to fend off talk of a “strategic partnership” with Donald Trump, owner of the nearby Turnberry resort, who declared in 2014 that Prestwick would be the main hub for both his private aircraft and for Turnberry visitors.
“The reports were blown out of proportion – we’ve worked with Turnberry for many years, and continue to do so, but there’s no special deal for his aircraft.”
Brisk trade is expected in July when The Open comes to Royal Troon, and Mr Jenner revealed 70 private flights were already scheduled to land that week.
Mr Jenner also talked up Prestwick’s credentials as the UK’s first spaceport. The UK Government had originally targeted the opening of a spaceport in 2018 – and with vessels using conventional runways to deliver satellites to space, six UK airports are in the running to win the contract.
However the UK Government hasn’t yet provided detailed specifications of the criteria required of a spaceport, or what the process for bidding will entail.
Prestwick’s preference is for the Government to give control of the licensing process to the industry, allowing suitable sites to become licensed and pitch for contracts, much in the way current airports operate with airlines.
“I’m disappointed in the Government delays and we want to handle it ourselves,” said Mr Jenner. “It’s time [for The Government] to get out the way and let us organise it.”
He also admitted that the possibility of becoming a spaceport was a consideration in the rebranding, which is now on display at the airport and will be officially unveiled on April 29.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel