The future is bright for Prestwick Airport

Nov 20 2009 Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AIRPORT chiefs are optimistic for the future at Prestwick.

They insist that the massive 28 per cent drop in passenger numbers in the last year won’t damage the airport’s long term prospects.

Chief commercial officer Graeme Sweenie claims that the downturn is in line with market trends.

And he is optimistic that Ryanair flights to the sun will hasten Prestwick’s recovery.

He explained: “2009 has certainly been a challenging year for the airport but our underlying position and future prospects are excellent.”

Mr Sweenie spoke out after it was revealed that 152,000 passengers flew out of Prestwick in last month – 28 per cent less than in October last year.

But he is confident that the airport will return to growth by mid 2010.

He said: “Glasgow Prestwick is now Scotland’s premier gateway to European hotspots.

“Four new Ryanair low-cost routes – to Alicante, Arrecife (Lanzarote), Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) and Palma – were inaugurated last month.

“These new destinations are a huge vote of confidence in Glasgow Prestwick by Europe’s largest low fares airline.”

And Mr Sweenie claimed advanced sales are already strong for next year thanks to low prices and the variety of destinations.

He added: “The summer 2010 schedule is now on sale to over 30 destinations including Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Palma, Alicante, Ibiza, Faro, Malaga, Murcia, Barcelona Girona and Reus.

“Advance bookings are strong, and no wonder. For example, in June we have £7.49 flights one way plus tax to Malaga, £12.99 to Ibiza and £19.49 to Palma, incredible value for money for next summer.

“And the 2010 package holidays to Turkey will boost numbers even further.

“We’re thriving in this popular sunspot market.

“Indeed, in response to our programme, we understand that competing airlines at Glasgow Airport have reduced their capacity for summer 2010, so our strategy of being Scotland’s year-round gateway to sun, sea and sangria is working well for us, and hurting our competitors.”