View source for Glasgow Prestwick Airport

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Glasgow Prestwick Airport
| image = Glasgow Prestwick Airport logo.svg
| image-width = 150
| image2 = Prestwick Airport and Prestwick from the air - geograph.org.uk - 4895478.jpg
| image2-width = 250
| IATA = PIK
| ICAO = EGPK
| location = {{nowrap|[[Prestwick]], South Ayrshire,<br/> Scotland}}
| pushpin_label = EGPK
| r1-surface = Concrete/[[asphalt concrete|asphalt]]
| metric-rwy = Yes
| type = Public
| owner = [[Scottish Government]]
| operator = {{nowrap|Prestwick Aviation Holdings Ltd.}}
| city-served = [[Ayrshire]] & [[Greater Glasgow]] 
| focus_city = [[Ryanair]] 
| elevation-f = 66
| coordinates = {{coord|55|30|34|N|004|35|40|W|region:GB-SAY|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = Scotland South Ayrshire#Scotland#United Kingdom
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in South Ayrshire
| website = {{nowrap|{{URL|https://www.glasgowprestwick.com}}}}
| r1-number = 12/30
| r1-length-m = 2,986
| r2-number = 02/20
| r2-length-m = 1,905
| r2-surface = Asphalt
| stat-year = 2023
| stat1-header = Passengers
| stat1-data = 524,000
| stat2-header = Passenger change 22-23
| stat2-data = {{increase}}18%
| stat3-header = Aircraft movements
| stat3-data = 24,000
| stat4-header = Movements change 22-23
| stat4-data = {{increase}}29%
| footnotes = Sources: UK [[Aeronautical Information Publication|AIP]] at [[National Air Traffic Services|NATS]]<ref name="aip">{{cite web |url=http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/public/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dblogcategory%26id%3D122%26Itemid%3D171.html |title=Prestwick - EGPK |website=National Air Traffic Services Aeronautical Information Service |access-date=27 August 2019 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017222116/http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/public/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dblogcategory%26id%3D122%26Itemid%3D171.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><br />Statistics from the [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|UK Civil Aviation Authority]]<ref name=stats>{{cite web |url=http://www.caa.co.uk/Data-and-analysis/UK-aviation-market/Airports/Datasets/ |title=Aircraft and passenger traffic data from UK airports |website=[[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|UK Civil Aviation Authority]] |access-date=25 March 2023}}</ref> 
}}

'''Glasgow Prestwick Airport''' ({{airport codes|PIK|EGPK|p=n}}), commonly referred to as '''Prestwick Airport''', is an [[international airport]] serving the west of Scotland, situated {{convert|1|nmi|km|0|spell=on|abbr=off}} northeast of the town of [[Prestwick]], and {{convert|32|mi|km|abbr=off}} southwest of [[Glasgow]], Scotland.<ref name="aip"/> It is the less busy of the two airports serving the western part of Scotland's [[Central Belt]], after [[Glasgow Airport]] in [[Renfrewshire]], within the [[Greater Glasgow]] conurbation. The airport serves the urban cluster surrounding [[Ayr]], including [[Kilmarnock]], [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]], [[Ardrossan]], [[Troon]], [[Saltcoats]], [[Stevenston]], [[Kilwinning]], and Prestwick itself.

The airport is Scotland's fifth-busiest in terms of passenger traffic, although it is the largest in terms of land area. Passenger traffic peaked at 2.4&nbsp;million in 2007 following a decade of rapid growth, driven in part by the boom in [[low-cost carrier]]s, particularly [[Ryanair]], which uses the airport as an operating base. In recent years, passenger traffic has declined; around 670,000{{nbsp}}passengers passed through the airport in 2016.<ref name="stats" /> There has been public debate over the association of the airport with Glasgow, which is 30 miles away from the airport.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mckenzie |first1=Jamie |last2=Armstrong |first2=Gary |title=Planes are being flown 22-mile distance from Prestwick to Glasgow for COP26 |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/disbelief-planes-flown-22-mile-25365074 |website=Daily Record |access-date=1 July 2025 |language=en |date=3 November 2021}}</ref> As a result, suggestions have been made for the airport to be renamed Robert Burns International Airport, however, this was ruled out by the Scottish Government in 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/ayrshire/call-new-owner-prestwick-airport-21264484 | title=Call for new owner of Prestwick Airport to rename it Robert Burns | date=12 January 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/renaming-glasgow-prestwick-airport-been-3715608 | title=Prestwick Airport will not be renamed Robert Burns Airport, the Deputy First Minister has confirmed | date=18 June 2014 }}</ref>

Prestwick has a long historical connection with [[transatlantic flight]], being part of the [[Atlantic Bridge (flight route)|Atlantic Bridge]] route between Europe and North America, and remains an important hub for the [[United States Air Force]] and [[Royal Canadian Air Force]], who use it as a refuelling stop.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cameron |first1=Greg |title=Military fuel supply helps Prestwick airport make profit |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/military-fuel-supply-helps-prestwick-airport-make-profit-v3sdlqpk |website=[[The Times]] |publisher=News International |access-date=4 March 2024}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The airport is also the favoured airport used by [[Air Force One]] whenever the [[President of the United States]] is visiting Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |title=Trump leaves Scotland on Air Force One |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-44834689 |website=BBC News |access-date=1 July 2025 |date=14 July 2018}}</ref> The operations centre of [[Shanwick Oceanic Control]] is located close to the airport, which controls all air traffic on the north eastern quadrant of the [[North Atlantic Ocean]], including Scottish airspace (Scottish Area Control Centre), as well as the airspace over much of the north of England, the Midlands and the north of Wales.<ref name="nats1">{{cite web |title=Prestwick Centre |url=https://nats.aero/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/PrestwickCentre-FINAL.pdf |website=NATS |access-date=7 April 2024}}</ref><ref name="NATS">{{cite web |title=NATS |url=https://www.prestwickaerospace.com/aerospace-capability/nats/ |website=Prestwick Aerospace |access-date=7 April 2024}}</ref>

==Early history==
===Origins and passenger facilities===

Passenger facilities were added in 1938. These were used until further investment made Prestwick compatible with jet transportation. The October 1946 USAAF diagram shows a {{convert|6600|ft|m|adj=on|abbr=off}} runway 14/32, with a {{convert|4500|ft|m|abbr=on}} runway 8/26 crossing just west of its midpoint. In 1958, runway 13/31 was {{convert|7000|ft|m|abbr=on}} long; in May 1960, the runway's extension to {{convert|9800|ft|m|abbr=on}} opened.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4is1AAAAIBAJ&pg=2472%2C3303606 |title="Big Jets" at Prestwick. Runway ready |work=[[The Glasgow Herald]] |date=24 March 1960 |page=6 |access-date=14 November 2017 |via=Google News}}</ref>

A parallel [[taxiway]], link road and an all-new terminal building were opened by the [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother|Queen Mother]] in 1964. The extension of runway 13/31 caused considerable disruption to road users, for the main road from Monkton into Prestwick now crossed the tarmac of the runway. This was controlled by a "level crossing" system until a new perimeter road was completed.<ref>{{cite book |last=Berry |first=Peter |date=2005 |title=Prestwick Airport and Scottish Aviation |location=[[Stroud]] |publisher=[[The History Press|Tempus]] |isbn=978-0-75243-484-1}}</ref>

===Military use===
[[File:Prestwick Airfield, Scotland, 1944 TR1789.jpg|thumb|left|[[Royal Air Force]] controllers at the airport tower, 1944]]

In the [[World War II|Second World War]] the [[RAF]] controlled trans-Atlantic flights from Prestwick.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/history/Biographies/Gillespie.html |title=Robert Pollock Gillespie |website=School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, Scotland |access-date=10 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809151301/http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/history/Biographies/Gillespie.html |archive-date=9 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Until February 2016, part of the Prestwick site was occupied by the Royal Navy [[Fleet Air Arm]] with [[RNAS Prestwick]], officially known by the Royal Navy as [[HMS Gannet SAR Flight|HMS ''Gannet'']], where a detachment of three [[Westland Sea King|Sea Kings]] provided a [[search and rescue]] role, covering one of the largest SAR areas of the UK including Ben Nevis, the Lakes, Northern Ireland and {{convert|200|nmi|km|abbr=off}} past the Irish coast. Additionally, Gannet SAR provided a medical evacuation service to the Scottish island communities. Personnel at the base numbered 15 officers, 11 ratings, 28 civil servants and 50 civilian staff. The crews regularly featured as part of the popular [[Five (TV channel)|Channel 5]] documentary series ''[[Highland Emergency]]''. In 2009,  the unit broke a new record as they were tasked to 447 call-outs, 20% of the UK's total military SAR call outs for 2009 and making them, for the second year in succession, the busiest search and rescue base in the UK.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.stv.tv/west-central/162976-helicopter-rescue-unit-has-busiest-year-on-record/ |title=Helicopter rescue unit has busiest year on record |work=STV News |date=11 March 2010 |access-date=21 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221214137/http://news.stv.tv/west-central/162976-helicopter-rescue-unit-has-busiest-year-on-record/ |archive-date=21 December 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

There was controversy over the airport's use in the CIA's [[extraordinary rendition]] flights, as aircraft had used the airport as a stop-over point.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/exclusive-cia-torture-plane-lands-1042818 |title=Exclusive: CIA torture plane lands at Prestwick Airport |first=Charles |last=Lavery |date=2 July 2012 |work=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] |access-date=3 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130419/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/exclusive-cia-torture-plane-lands-1042818 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Since November 2013, when the Scottish government took control of the facility, service contracts have been established with the [[USAF]], [[USN]], [[USMC]], [[Defense Logistics Agency]] and [[Air National Guard|National Guard]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/07/scottish-government-criticised-over-us-military-use-of-airport |title=Scottish government criticised over US military use of airport |last1=Carrell |first1=Severin |date=7 February 2018 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en |access-date=8 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208012725/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/07/scottish-government-criticised-over-us-military-use-of-airport |archive-date=8 February 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Prestwick Airport, Scotland. - geograph.org.uk - 543603.jpg|thumb|right|Aircraft at Prestwick Airport, July 1973]]

Glasgow Prestwick Airport is the only place in the United Kingdom where [[Elvis Presley]] (who had distant Scottish ancestry) was known to have set foot, when the [[United States Air Force]] transport plane carrying him home to the United States stopped to refuel in 1960, en route from West Germany.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8547200.stm |title=Elvis anniversary: Blue suede shoes and bobby socks |date=3 March 2010 |website=BBC News |access-date=8 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814024001/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8547200.stm |archive-date=14 August 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maybole.org/news/2010/February/were_you_there.htm |title=Were you there when Elvis landed in Prestwick? |first=Edwin |last=Lawrence |date=19 February 2010 |website=Maybole.org |access-date=19 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614114821/http://www.maybole.org/news/2010/February/were_you_there.htm |archive-date=14 June 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> However, on 21 April 2008, during a [[BBC Radio 2]] interview with [[Ken Bruce]], theatre impresario and chairman of [[Everton F.C.|Everton FC]], [[Bill Kenwright]], said that Elvis actually spent a day in the UK being shown around London by [[Tommy Steele]] in 1958.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7361159.stm |title=Elvis's secret UK visit revealed |website=BBC News |date=22 April 2004 |access-date=2 October 2009}}</ref>

===Commercial use===

In 1945, [[American Overseas Airlines]] began regular [[transatlantic flight|transatlantic]] commercial flights began between Prestwick and New York.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vEBAAAAAIBAJ&pg=4452%2C2702246 |title=New York to Prestwick. Start of Regular Commercial Flights. |work=The Glasgow Herald |date=22 October 1945 |page=3 |access-date=15 November 2017 |via=Google News}}</ref> AOA was later acquired by [[Pan Am]], which used Prestwick as a stop between Europe and North America into the 1970s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PA042973p10 |url=https://www.departedflights.com/PA042973p10.html |access-date=18 January 2024 |website=www.departedflights.com}}</ref> [[British Overseas Airways Corporation|BOAC]] also used Prestwick as a stop between London and New York in the late 1940s and 1950s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Airline Timetable Images - List of Complete Timetables |url=https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/complete.htm |access-date=18 January 2024 |website=www.timetableimages.com}}</ref>

In the 1980s, Prestwick continued to see scheduled transatlantic flights by [[Air Canada]] and [[Northwest Airlines]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=PIK83intro |url=https://www.departedflights.com/PIK83intro.html |access-date=18 January 2024 |website=www.departedflights.com}}</ref> These carriers both moved their operations to Glasgow Airport after government restrictions were lifted in 1990.<ref name="HeraldNorthwest2014" /> Until 1990, the British government required all transatlantic flights to and from Scotland to use Prestwick.<ref name="HeraldNorthwest2014">{{Cite web |date=23 June 2014 |title=Days of Northwest flying from Prestwick were ended by restriction being overturned |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/13166686.days-northwest-flying-prestwick-ended-restriction-overturned/ |access-date=18 January 2024 |website=The Herald |language=en}}</ref>

==Recent history==
===1990s===

1992 marked the beginning of a renaissance for the struggling airport when purchased by "Canadian entrepreneur"<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/bus-and-train-firm-takes-to-the-air-1161991.html |title=Bus and Train Firm Takes to the Air |newspaper=The Independent |date=2 May 1998 |location=London |access-date=24 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111151634/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/bus-and-train-firm-takes-to-the-air-1161991.html |archive-date=11 November 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Matthew Hudson in a "dramatic rescue".<ref name="ayrshirepost.net">{{cite news |title=Prestwick Airport Book Set For Take Off |url=http://www.ayrshirepost.net/ayrshire-news/local-news-ayrshire/prestwick/2009/04/10/prestwick-airport-book-set-for-take-off-102545-23335351/ |access-date=24 June 2011 |newspaper=Ayrshire Post |date=10 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004045838/http://www.ayrshirepost.net/ayrshire-news/local-news-ayrshire/prestwick/2009/04/10/prestwick-airport-book-set-for-take-off-102545-23335351/ |archive-date=4 October 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Hudson initiated the construction of the airport's [[Prestwick International Airport railway station|railway station]] on the existing [[Ayrshire Coast Line]] (Glasgow–Ayr), which runs past the airfield, making it the first Scottish airport with its own railway station.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/train-travel-first-claimed-by-prestwick-1.764733 |title=Train Travel 'first' Claim by Prestwick |date=9 April 1993 |work=The Glasgow Herald |access-date=24 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010170501/http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/train-travel-first-claimed-by-prestwick-1.764733 |archive-date=10 October 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In her book about Prestwick Airport, South Ayrshire councillor Ann Galbraith writes about this tough time in the airport's history, saying that "if it hadn't been for Matthew Hudson the airport wouldn't be here today".<ref name="ayrshirepost.net"/>

In 1994, Irish budget airline [[Ryanair]] opened a route to the airport from [[Dublin airport|Dublin]], followed by a second route in 1995 to [[Stansted Airport|London Stansted]]. In 1998, a third route to [[Paris-Beauvais]] was introduced and the airport was sold by Hudson to the Scottish transport company [[Stagecoach Group]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/smgpubs/access/39252725.html?dids=39252725:39252725&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+24%2C+1999&author=Ian+McConnell&pub=The+Herald&desc=Hudson+takes+to+the+wing&pqatl=google |title=Hudson Takes to the Wing |first=Ian |last=McConnell |date=24 February 1999 |work=The Glasgow Herald |access-date=24 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107061415/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/smgpubs/access/39252725.html?dids=39252725:39252725&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+24,+1999&author=Ian+McConnell&pub=The+Herald&desc=Hudson+takes+to+the+wing&pqatl=google |archive-date=7 November 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2000s===
[[File:AreaPartenzeGlasgoPrestwickAirport.JPG|thumb|left|Check-in area at Prestwick Airport]]

In 2001, the airport was purchased by [[Infratil]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.infratil.com/our-news/infratil-news/2001/infratil-acquires-majority-shareholding-in-glasgow-prestwick-international-airport/ |title=Infratil Acquires Majority Shareholding in Glasgow Prestwick International Airport |website=Infratil.com |access-date=17 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019105731/http://www.infratil.com/our-news/infratil-news/2001/infratil-acquires-majority-shareholding-in-glasgow-prestwick-international-airport/ |archive-date=19 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> a New Zealand company and majority owner of [[Wellington International Airport]]. Infratil also owned [[Manston Airport]] until November 2013. Manston was sold to a shell company owned by [[Ann Gloag]], a co-founder of [[Stagecoach Group|Stagecoach]], Prestwick's previous owner. In April 2005, Infratil completed a major refurbishment of the terminal building, and [[rebranded]] the airport using the phrase "pure dead brilliant", taken straight from the [[Glasgow patter]]. Some of the rebranding has been controversial, in particular the redecoration of the airport bar. The bar was rebranded in February 2006 with a logo depicting a man in a [[kilt]], unconscious with an empty bottle of [[whisky]].

Despite objections that it promoted the wrong image of Scotland to foreign visitors and embarrassed local travellers, the airport management insisted the logo was "fun and visually stimulating". However, it was removed a matter of weeks after installation, after the South Ayrshire Licensing Board said the logo trivialised excessive drinking.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16771579&method=full&siteid=66633&headline=you-re-barred--name_page.html |title=You're Barred |first=Keith |last=Mcleod |date=4 March 2006 |work=Daily Record |location=Scotland |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204054713/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_objectid%3D16771579%26method%3Dfull%26siteid%3D66633%26headline%3Dyou-re-barred--name_page.html |archive-date=4 February 2012 }}</ref> The "pure dead brilliant" branding was removed from the main terminal building in January 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/prestwick-airport-ditches-pure-dead-3032056 |title=Prestwick Airport ditches 'Pure Dead Brilliant' slogan |first=Stuart |last=Wilson |date=17 January 2014 |work=Daily Record |access-date=26 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410022211/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/prestwick-airport-ditches-pure-dead-3032056 |archive-date=10 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:2002-04-Flughafen-Glasgow-Prestwick.jpg|thumb|The terminal building in 2002]]

Since 2007, the airport has occasionally been used by the [[BBC]] TV programme ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' as the location for various stunts and experiments. The best-known stunt was a scene similar to one featured in the film ''[[Casino Royale (2006 film)|Casino Royale]]'' and featured both a [[Ford Mondeo]] and a [[Citroën 2CV]] parked behind the engines of a [[Virgin Atlantic]] [[Boeing 747-400]], in an experiment to investigate whether the thrust from the aircraft's four jet engines really could lift a car off the ground.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ9uWsvR1l0  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/ZJ9uWsvR1l0| archive-date=12 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Car vs Boeing 747 Engine |author=Top Gear |date=30 April 2010 |website=YouTube |access-date=30 December 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The car park and [[A79 road|A79]] outside the terminal building have been reconstructed to comply with [[UK Government|governmental]] movement and access restrictions mandated in the aftermath of the [[2007 Glasgow International Airport attack|Glasgow International Airport terrorist attack]]. According to a 2008 Master Plan, the departure lounge is at capacity and congested during peak operations. The plan proposes "a central pier that provides adequate circulation and waiting space prior to boarding the aircraft" to cope with a continuing increase in passenger departures.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glasgowprestwick.com/userfiles/files/MasterPlan.pdf |title=Glasgow Prestwick Airport Draft Master Plan |date=2008 |website=Glasgow Prestwick Airport |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712171840/http://www.glasgowprestwick.com/userfiles/files/MasterPlan.pdf |archive-date=12 July 2015 }}</ref>

===2010s===
[[File:Support for Heathrow expansion.jpg|thumb|left|Glasgow Prestwick was purchased by the Scottish Government in 2013, and consequently brought under public ownership.]]
In 2010, [[NATS Holdings|NATS]], the organisation responsible for en-route air traffic control services to flights within the UK flight information regions, consolidated its air traffic control operations from four facilities to two. The 86,000 square feet (8,000 square metre) operations room<ref name="nats1"/> at Prestwick is solely responsible for all aircraft flying over Scottish aerospace (Scottish Area Control Centre), which includes all aircraft over Scotland, [[Northern Ireland]], the [[North of England]] as well as over the [[North Sea]] from 2,500 feet up to 66,000 feet. In addition to being responsible for aircraft over Scottish aerospace as defined by the Scottish Area Control Centre, Prestwick is also responsible for the aerospace over much of the north of England, the [[Midlands]] and north [[Wales]] from 2,500 feet up to 28,500 feet (Manchester Area Control Centre). Its Oceanic Area Control Centre controls the aerospace over the eastern half of the [[North Atlantic]] to a designated boundary in place with [[Iceland]].<ref name="NATS"/> With a responsibility of aerospace covering {{convert|2.84|e6km2|abbr=off}}, the operations centre at Prestwick has the largest area of aerospace responsibility in [[Europe]], handing 42% of the total aircraft movement across the United Kingdom.<ref name="nats1"/>

On 8 March 2012, the airport owner Infratil announced that it planned to sell the airfield. The airport remained unsold until October 2013 when the [[Scottish Government]] announced it was in negotiations to take the airport back into [[Nationalisation|public ownership]].<ref name="infratil.com">{{cite press release |url= http://www.infratil.com/our-news/infratil-news/2013/scottish-government-to-pursue-taking-over-glasgow-prestwick-airport/ |title=Scottish Government to pursue taking over Glasgow Prestwick Airport |date=9 October 2013 |website=Infratil |access-date=17 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014051957/http://www.infratil.com/our-news/infratil-news/2013/scottish-government-to-pursue-taking-over-glasgow-prestwick-airport/ |archive-date=14 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Prestwick Airport to be nationalised in bid to safeguard jobs |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/transport/prestwick-airport-taken-into-public-ownership.1381239503 |newspaper=The Herald |location= Glasgow |date=8 October 2013 |access-date=8 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008182752/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/transport/prestwick-airport-taken-into-public-ownership.1381239503 |archive-date=8 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Subsequently, the Scottish Government bought the airport on 22 November 2013 for £1, Infratil having incurred annual losses of £2,000,000. No job losses were anticipated after the government takeover. Then-[[Deputy First Minister of Scotland|Deputy First Minister]] [[Nicola Sturgeon]] told [[BBC Scotland]] that work would then begin on "turning Prestwick around and making it a viable enterprise".<ref>{{cite news |title=Prestwick Airport sold to Scottish government for £1 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-25055531 |work=BBC News |date=23 November 2013 |access-date=23 November 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131124024345/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-25055531 |archive-date=24 November 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 1 April 2014, the public petition committee at [[Holyrood, Edinburgh|Holyrood]] heard that ''The [[Robert Burns World Federation]]'' wished to rename the airport to [[Robert Burns]] International Airport.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26834747 |title=Plea to rename Prestwick Airport after poet Robert Burns |work=BBC News |date=1 April 2014 |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105151723/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26834747 |archive-date=5 January 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In June 2014, Ryanair announced the relocation of some routes from Prestwick to [[Glasgow International Airport]] by October 2014; included among them were flights to [[Warsaw]] and [[Dublin]].<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://corporate.ryanair.com/news/news/140703-ryanair-launches-new-dublin-glasgow-intl-route/ |title=Ryanair launches new Dublin-Glasgow International route |date=3 July 2014 |website=Ryanair |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714194421/http://corporate.ryanair.com/news/news/140703-ryanair-launches-new-dublin-glasgow-intl-route/ |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In November 2014 [[Donald Trump]] signed a partnership agreement with Prestwick making it the Scottish base for all Trump Aviation Operations, in order to service his [[Trump Turnberry]] golf resort {{convert|20|mi}} away.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://stv.tv/news/west-central/299644-donald-trump-pledges-to-make-prestwick-airport-really-successful/ |title=Donald Trump pledges to make Prestwick Airport 'really successful' |date=14 November 2014 |website=STV |access-date=13 March 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170313131151/https://stv.tv/news/west-central/299644-donald-trump-pledges-to-make-prestwick-airport-really-successful/ |archive-date=13 March 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

As part of the privatisation of the UK's search and rescue service, [[Bristow Helicopters]] based two [[Sikorsky S-92]] helicopters in a new hangar at HMS ''Gannet''. The handover took place in January 2016. In March 2016, the airport revealed new branding and a new look to the inside and outside of the airport building.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/exclusive-new-look-prestwick-airport-7522588#rlabs=1%20p$5#15Di10EElhMRWWgp.97 |title=New look for Prestwick Airport to be unveiled as Scottish Government agree rebrand |first=Stuart |last=Wilson |date=9 March 2016 |work=Daily Record |location= Glasgow |access-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310095812/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/exclusive-new-look-prestwick-airport-7522588#rlabs=1%20p$5 |archive-date=10 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url= http://www.glasgowprestwick.com/news-and-events/glasgowprestwickairportisgettinganewlook.html |website=Glasgow Prestwick Airport |title=Glasgow Prestwick Airport is getting a new look |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160313204143/http://www.glasgowprestwick.com/news-and-events/glasgowprestwickairportisgettinganewlook.html |archive-date=13 March 2016 }}</ref>

[[File:NS3527 - Prestwick Airport.jpg|thumb|right|Arrivals and departures lounge at the airport]]

In 2015, Glasgow Prestwick Airport was shortlisted as a potential UK [[Spaceport]],<ref>{{Cite news |url= http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14506625.UK_spaceport_competition_axed_in_favour_of_licensing_model/ |title=UK spaceport competition axed in favour of licensing model |first=Helen |last=McArdle |date=20 May 2016 |work=The Herald |location= Glasgow |access-date=4 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914103204/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14506625.UK_spaceport_competition_axed_in_favour_of_licensing_model/ |archive-date=14 September 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> as part of the [[British commercial spaceport competition]]. In June 2019, the Scottish government announced that it was putting the airport up for sale. Bidders would be expected to commit to maintaining and developing aviation operations and employment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Publicly-owned Prestwick Airport up for sale |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-48627212 |work=BBC News |date=13 June 2019 |access-date=14 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614171459/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-48627212 |archive-date=14 June 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===2020s===
In February 2021, the Scottish government announced that a preferred bidder had been selected to buy the airport. The unnamed bidder was believed to be a European transport infrastructure investor.<ref>{{cite news |title=Preferred bidder chosen for Prestwick Airport |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56176018 |work=BBC News |date=23 February 2021}}</ref> However, the Scottish government announced in December 2021 that the bid had been rejected, and that the sale would not proceed. The airport would consequently remain in public ownership, but the government stated it was committed to "returning it to the private sector at the appropriate time and opportunity."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-59746639|title=Scottish ministers 'decide against' Prestwick airport sale|work=BBC News|date=21 December 2021}}</ref> {{As of|2023|1}}, no private investor has been found yet but there was ongoing debate if the airport is financially viable or will require further loans from the government.<ref>[https://dailybusinessgroup.co.uk/2023/01/prestwick-airport-has-no-need-for-more-loans/ dailybusinessgroup.co.uk - Prestwick Airport ‘has no need for more loans’] 25 January 2023</ref>

==Airlines and destinations==
===Passenger===
The following airlines operate regular scheduled services to and from Glasgow–Prestwick:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.glasgowprestwick.com/passengers/flights-and-destinations/whats-on-at-our-destination/ |title=Route Map |website=Glasgow Prestwick |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>
<!--DO NOT ADD OR REMOVE ROUTES WITHOUT GIVING A VALID INDEPENDENT SOURCE. EXACT DATES ARE MANDATORY FOR NEW ROUTES TO BE ADDED HERE. ALSO ADD INLINE CITATIONS IF POSSIBLE.-->

{{Airport destination list
<!-- -->
| [[Ryanair]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ryanair.com/gb/en/cheap-flight-destinations|title=Ryanair route map &#124; Our European destinations|website=www.ryanair.com}}</ref> | [[Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport|Alicante]],<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_394_397">{{Cite journal|author=<!-- not stated -->|journal=OAG Flight Guide Worldwide|title=Glasgow, UK|date=August 2023|volume=25|issue=2|publisher=[[OAG (company)|OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited]]|publication-place=Luton, United Kingdom|issn=1466-8718|language=en|pages=394–397}}</ref> [[Lanzarote Airport|Lanzarote]],<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_394_397"/> [[Málaga Airport|Málaga]],<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_394_397"/> [[Tenerife South Airport|Tenerife–South]]<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_394_397"/> <br> '''Seasonal:''' [[Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport|Barcelona]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ryanair.com/gb/en | title=Ryanair }}</ref> [[Faro Airport|Faro]],<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_394_397"/> [[Gran Canaria Airport|Gran Canaria]],<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_394_397"/> [[Región de Murcia International Airport|Murcia]],<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_394_397"/> [[Palma de Mallorca Airport|Palma de Mallorca]],<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_394_397"/> [[Pisa International Airport|Pisa]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230330-frns23|title=Ryanair NS23 Network Additions Summary – 26MAR23|website=Aeroroutes}}</ref>
<!-- There is really no evidence of Ryanair ceasing any of these routes. Please add valid sources otherwise. -->
<!-- -->
}}

===Cargo===
<!--DO NOT ADD OR REMOVE ROUTES WITHOUT GIVING A VALID INDEPENDENT SOURCE. EXACT DATES ARE MANDATORY FOR NEW ROUTES TO BE ADDED HERE. ALSO ADD INLINE CITATIONS IF POSSIBLE.-->
{{Airport destination list
<!-- -->
|{{nowrap|[[Air China Cargo]]}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aircargoweek.com/air-china-cargo-to-set-up-its-uk-cargo-hub-at-glasgow-prestwick-airport/ |title=PIK welcomes Air China Cargo's new freighter service |date=3 June 2025 |publisher=Air Cargo Week |access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref> | [[Beijing Capital International Airport|Beijing–Capital]], [[Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport|Guangzhou]]
<!-- -->
|{{nowrap|[[Air France|Air France Cargo]]}}<ref>[https://www.afklcargo.com/WW/en/common/network/network.jsp afklcargo.com - Network] retrieved 6 November 2021</ref> | [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago–O'Hare]], [[Charles de Gaulle Airport|Paris–Charles de Gaulle]]
<!-- -->
|{{nowrap|[[Beijing Capital Airlines]]}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dalton |first1=Alastair |title=New Chinese flights take off from Prestwick Airport with Beijing Capital Airlines carrying salmon and whisky |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/new-chinese-flights-take-off-from-prestwick-carrying-salmon-and-whisky-5363680 |access-date=17 October 2025}}</ref> | [[Oslo Airport, Gardermoen|Oslo]], [[Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport|Zhengzhou]]
<!-- -->
|{{nowrap|[[Cargolux]]}}<ref>[https://www.cargolux.com/media/ll1bdzen/cargolux-schedule-march-2022-worldwide.pdf Cargolux Winter 2022] retrieved 11 October 2022</ref> | [[George Bush Intercontinental Airport|Houston–Intercontinental]], [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]], [[Luxembourg Airport|Luxembourg]], [[Seattle–Tacoma International Airport|Seattle/Tacoma]]
<!-- -->
|{{nowrap|[[China Southern Airlines|China Southern Cargo]]}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/25173468.prestwick-airport-launches-direct-cargo-route-china/ |title=Prestwick Airport launches direct cargo route to China |date=19 May 2025 |publisher=Glasgow Times |access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref> | [[Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport|Guangzhou]]
}}

==Statistics==
===Passengers===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style="text-align: center; width:300px;" align="center"
|+
|-
! style="width:75px" |
! style="width:100px" | Number of passengers<ref group="note" name="stats">Number of passengers including domestic, international and transit counterparts</ref>
! style="width:125px" | Number of movements<ref group="note">Number of movements represents total aircraft takeoffs and landings during each year.</ref>
! style="width:100px" | Freight <br /> (tonnes)
|-
! 1997
| 567,000 || 63,166 || 33,874
|-
! 1998
| 558,000 || 54,166 || 39,600
|-
! 1999
| 702,000 || 54,093 || 40,845
|-
! 2000
| 905,000 || 44,940 || 41,450
|-
! 2001
| 1,232,000 || 48,144 || 43,104
|-
! 2002
| 1,486,000 || 43,190 || 39,500
|-
! 2003
| 1,854,000 || 57,099 || 39,975
|-
! 2004
| 2,159,000 || 55,998 || 34,102
|-
! 2005
| 2,405,000 || 54,996 || 29,199
|-
! 2006
| 2,395,000 || 48,189 || 28,537
|-
! 2007
| 2,421,000 || 47,910 || 31,517
|-
! 2008
| 2,415,755 || 42,708 || 22,966
|-
! 2009
| 1,817,727 || 34,230 || 13,385
|-
! 2010
| 1,662,744 || 33,087 || 12,163
|-
! 2011
| 1,297,119 || 28,131 || 11,846
|-
! 2012
| 1,067,933 || 25,670 || 10,314
|-
!2013
|1,145,836 || 24,305 || 9,526
|-
!2014
|913,685 || 25,643 || 12,540
|-
!2015
|610,837 || 22,765 || 11,242
|-
!2016
|673,232 || 25,714 || 10,822
|-
!2017
|696,309 || 24,897 || 11,393
|-
!2018
|681,718 || 24,904|| 13,033
|-
!2019
|640,455 || 24,463|| 13,054
|-
!2020
|90,790 || 14,085 || 12,049
|-
 !2021
| 78,069 || 17,126 || 16,209
|-
!2022
| 445,211 ||  19,034 || 15,298
|-
!2023
|524,880
|24,471
|10,673
|-
!2024
|535,570
|22,615
|9,515
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="5" align="right" | <small>''Source: [https://www.caa.co.uk/Data-and-analysis/UK-aviation-market/Airports/Datasets/UK-Airport-data/Airport-data-2020// United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority]''</small><ref name="stats" />
|}

===Routes===
{|class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style="font-size: 100%"
|+ '''Busiest routes to and from Glasgow Prestwick (2024)''' <ref>{{cite web |title=Table 12 1 Intl Air Pax Route Analysis |url=https://www.caa.co.uk/data-and-analysis/uk-aviation-market/airports/uk-airport-data/uk-airport-data-2024/annual-2024/ |access-date=15 June 2025 |website=Civil Aviation Authority}}</ref>
|-
! Rank || Airport || Total <br />passengers || Change<br />2023 / 24
|-
|1|| [[Tenerife South Airport|Tenerife–South]] ||align='right'| 112,404|| {{increase}} 15%
|-
|2|| [[Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport|Alicante]] ||align='right'| 94,581 || {{increase}} 11%
|-
|3||  [[Palma de Mallorca Airport|Palma de Mallorca]]|| align="right" | 62,754 || {{decrease}} 2%
|-
|4||  [[Málaga Airport|Málaga]]|| align="right" | 61,975 || {{decrease}} 10%
|-
|5|| [[Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport|Barcelona]]|| align="right" | 47,718 || {{increase}} 42%
|-
|5||  [[Faro Airport|Faro]]|| align="right" | 41,118 || {{decrease}} 19%
|-
|6||  [[Lanzarote Airport|Lanzarote]]|| align="right" | 37,824 || {{increase}} 9%
|-
|9||  [[Región de Murcia International Airport|Murcia]]|| align="right" | 32,098 || {{increase}} 47%
|-
|8||  [[Gran Canaria Airport|Gran Canaria]]|| align="right" | 20,841 || {{decrease}} 27%
|-
|10||  [[Pisa International Airport|Pisa]] ||align='right'| 19,673 || {{decrease}} 2%
|}

==Scottish International Airshow==
Prestwick Airport used to host a bi-annual [[air show]], the first of which was held on 30 September 1967. While very small in scale compared to such shows as [[RAF Fairford]] or [[Farnborough International Airshow]], the Scottish air show attracted up to 100,000 spectators to Prestwick in its heyday in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-29100593 |title=Thousands welcome return of Scottish Airshow to Ayrshire |website=BBC News |date=7 September 2014 |access-date=13 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021043555/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-29100593 |archive-date=21 October 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The revived [[The International Ayrshow - Festival Of Flight|Scottish International Airshow]] was brought back by three Ayrshire aviation and events professionals Danny Anderson, Bob Alexander (2014 and 2015) and Doug Maclean. The events company Zisys Events shouldered the organisation burden and financial risk. It was restarted on 6 and 7 September 2014; an air display was held at the Low green at Ayr Seafront and a static display on 7 September at the airport.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.stv.tv/west-central/276091-scottish-airshow-to-return-in-september-after-22-year-absence/ |title=Scottish Airshow to return in September after 22-year absence |work=STV News |date=21 May 2014 |access-date=13 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209125236/http://news.stv.tv/west-central/276091-scottish-airshow-to-return-in-september-after-22-year-absence/ |archive-date=9 December 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The event included appearances by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, including the only two flying Avro Lancaster bombers, and the last airworthy Avro Vulcan bomber, famous for being part of the UK's Nuclear "V Force" bomber fleet. The second Scottish Airshow was held on 5 and 6 September 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scottishairshow.com/ |access-date=6 September 2015 |title=Home |website=Scottish Airshow |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908170434/http://www.scottishairshow.com/ |archive-date=8 September 2015}}</ref> Danny Anderson and Doug Maclean were innovative in their ideas for displays. The 2016 Scottish International Airshow included the first night display in Scotland. It started with the RAF Typhoon doing a first dusk display and ended with the Aerosparx Formation Team flying in darkness and discharging pyrotechnics from the aircraft wing tips.

Between 2014 and 2018 the Scottish International Airshow continued to develop and brought very respected formation teams and vintage aircraft and modern fighter jets from Denmark, Belgium The Netherlands, Ireland and Switzerland as well as the highly unusual Swiss Vintage Formation of 3 Beech 18s and a DC3 flying together in a unique display. The attendances continued to rise each year with over 200,000 people reported to attend over 2 days in 2018. The 2019 Airshow was planned to highlight the return to Prestwick of the CF104 Starfighter from Norway and a Spanish Air Force helicopter formation. It was also intended to include a static aircraft display at Glasgow Prestwick Airport. The show was cancelled at an early stage due to a dispute between the organisers and the local Council and the withdrawal of financial support by the Council. The 2020 Covid pandemic meant that there was no display planned.

It was announced that the airshow would return for 2023, organised by South Ayrshire Council and rebranded as [[The International Ayrshow - Festival Of Flight]] beginning on the weekend of 8 September 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=International Ayr Show - Festival of Flight 2023 Schedule - Military Airshows in the UK |url=https://www.military-airshows.co.uk/ven29.htm |access-date=9 May 2023 |website=www.military-airshows.co.uk}}</ref>

==Incidents and accidents==
*On 28 August 1944, a [[United States Army Air Forces]] [[Douglas C-54 Skymaster|Douglas C54A Skymaster]] flying from [[Logan International Airport|Boston]] via [[Keflavík International Airport|Keflavik]] crashed into houses on the south side of the airport while attempting to land. All 20 crew and passengers as well as five people on the ground were killed.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Crash of a Douglas C-54A-1-DC Skymaster in Prestwick: 25 killed {{!}} Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives|url=https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-douglas-c-54a-1-dc-skymaster-prestwick-25-killed|access-date=15 September 2021|website=Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives}}</ref> 
* On 20 October 1948, a [[Lockheed L-049 Constellation]] of [[KLM]] [[1948 KLM Constellation air disaster|crashed on approach]] to Prestwick; all 40 aboard died.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19481020-0 | title=ASN Aircraft accident Lockheed L-049-46-25 Constellation PH-TEN Glasgow-Prestwick Airport (PIK) }}</ref>
*Early on 25 December 1954, at 03:30, the [[1954 BOAC Boeing 377 crash|1954 Prestwick air disaster]] involved a [[British Overseas Airways Corporation]] [[Boeing 377 Stratocruiser]] which crashed on landing at Prestwick, killing 28 of the 36 passengers and crew on board. The aircraft had been en route from London to New York City, when, on approach to Prestwick, it entered a steep descent before levelling out too late and too severely, hitting the ground short of the runway. The crash has been attributed to a number of factors, including pilot fatigue (the captain was well over his duty limit due to the aircraft being delayed); the landing lights at Prestwick being out of action due to repair; and the first officer either not hearing a command from the captain for landing lights (which might have helped judge the low cloud base) or mistakenly hitting the flaps, causing the aircraft to stall.
*On 3 November 1973, [[Pan Am Flight 160|Pan Am 160 crashed]] at [[Logan International Airport]] following a loss of control due to smoke; the aircraft was meant to stop over at Prestwick.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Accident Boeing 707-321C N458PA, Saturday 3 November 1973 |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/330046 |access-date=6 July 2024 |website=asn.flightsafety.org}}</ref>
*On 17 March 1977, a [[1977 British Airtours Boeing 707 crash|British Airtours Boeing 707 crashed]] during a pilot training flight and caught fire. All four crew on board survived.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19770317-2|title=ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 707-436 G-APFK Glasgow-Prestwick Airport (PIK)|last=Ranter|first=Harro|website=aviation-safety.net|access-date=29 December 2017}}</ref>
*On 6 October 1992, a [[British Aerospace Jetstream|BAe Jetstream 31]] operated by [[British Aerospace]] on a training flight to [[East Midlands Airport]] crashed shortly after takeoff at Prestwick after simulating an engine failure. Both occupants were killed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crash of a BAe 3101 Jetstream 32 in Prestwick: 2 killed {{!}} Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives |url=https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-bae-3101-jetstream-32-prestwick-2-killed |access-date=9 May 2023 |website=www.baaa-acro.com}}</ref>
*On 15 June 2013, an [[Egyptair]] flight from Cairo bound for [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|New York–JFK]] was diverted to Prestwick Airport under [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] escort due to a note found on board threatening to 'set the plane on fire'. Roads surrounding the airport were closed as police dealt with the incident.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/emergency-landing-fire-threat-plane-back-in-the-air-8660654.html |title=Five seek asylum after threat diverts flight to UK |first=Sanchez |last=Manning |date=16 June 2013 |work=The Independent |location=London |access-date=11 September 2019}}</ref>
*On 5 September 2015, during the Scottish International Airshow, [[Avro Vulcan]] bomber [[Avro Vulcan XH558|XH558]] experienced an issue with its [[Landing gear|nosewheel]]. The nosewheel failed to extend properly and lock into place. A displaying [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire]] was asked to verify that the nosewheel was down and locked – the Spitfire confirmed it was not. The crew finally were able to secure the nosewheel in a fully down position and made a successful landing on runway 30, with an extended [[Landing flare|flare]]. There were no injuries and the aircraft and crew made a safe return journey to their home base with the gear extended.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leone |first=Dario |date=16 August 2019 |title=That time a WWII Spitfire helped a Cold War Era Vulcan with Nose Gear Emergency |url=https://theaviationgeekclub.com/that-time-a-wwii-spitfire-helped-a-cold-war-era-vulcan-with-nose-gear-emergency/ |access-date=9 May 2023 |website=The Aviation Geek Club |language=en-GB}}</ref>
*On 28 October 2016, a [[Volaris]] [[Airbus A320 family|Airbus A320]] was diverted under [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] escort to Prestwick whilst en route to [[Keflavík International Airport]] following a loss of communications. There were only 7 crew onboard and some roads surrounding the airport were shut.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Typhoon jets scrambled to escort passenger plane to Prestwick Airport {{!}} UK {{!}} News {{!}} Express.co.uk |url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/726371/Prestwick-Airport-RAF-Typhoon-jets-communication-loss-sonic-boom/amp |access-date=16 September 2024 |website=www.express.co.uk}}</ref>
*On 23 April 2024 a [[Piper Aircraft|Piper]] [[Piper PA-28 Cherokee|PA-28-181]] crashed near the airport, due to [[carburettor icing]]. Both occupants were seriously injured.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-68884436 | title=Two airlifted to hospital after small plane crashes | work=BBC News | date=23 April 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Loudon |first=Calum |date=3 October 2024 |title=Light aircraft crashed near airport due 'engine icing' leaving two men severely injured |url=https://news.stv.tv/west-central/engine-icing-caused-small-plane-to-crash-into-trees-near-prestwick-airport |access-date=3 October 2024 |website=STV News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Ground transport==

===Road===

Glasgow Prestwick Airport connects with the UK motorway network via the [[A77 road|A77]] on to the [[M77 motorway|M77]]. This allows [[Glasgow]] to be reached by road from the airport in 40 minutes and [[Edinburgh]] in just over 1 hour and 30 minutes.

===Rail===
{{main|Prestwick International Airport railway station}}
[[File:Prestwick_International_Airport_railway_station_-_view_towards_Ayr_with_airport_link_overbridge.jpg|thumb|The airport station]]
Prior to the opening of [[Inverness Airport railway station]] in 2023, Prestwick airport was the only airport in Scotland with its own railway station, [[Prestwick International Airport railway station]], built by the airport in 1994.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.glasgowprestwick.com/to-and-from-prestwick/train-connections/default.html |title=Cheap train connections to and from Glasgow Prestwick Airport |website=Glasgow Prestwick |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302162830/http://www.glasgowprestwick.com/to-and-from-prestwick/train-connections/default.html |archive-date=2 March 2012}}</ref> The station is connected to the terminal by an enclosed walkway over the [[A roads in Zone 7 of the Great Britain numbering scheme|A79 road]], and platforms are accessed by stairs, escalators and lifts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scotlandontv.tv/scotland_on_tv/video.html?vxSiteId=60fdd544-9c52-4e17-be7e-57a2a2d76992&vxChannel=Visit%20Travel&vxClipId=1380_SMG1912&vxBitrate=300 |title=Online video detailing access to the rail services from the airport |website=Scotland on TV |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924202953/http://www.scotlandontv.tv/scotland_on_tv/video.html?vxSiteId=60fdd544-9c52-4e17-be7e-57a2a2d76992&vxChannel=Visit%20Travel&vxClipId=1380_SMG1912&vxBitrate=300 |archive-date=24 September 2008 }}</ref> The station building continues to be owned and operated by the airport, and not by [[Network Rail]] or [[ScotRail]]. The track through the station itself remains the responsibility of Network Rail.

===Bus===
Prestwick International Airport is well-connected by bus services operated by Stagecoach West Scotland.

==See also==
* [[Orangefield House, South Ayrshire]] – the former control tower
* [[Fail Monastery]] – remains of used as foundations for the airport

==References==
===Notes===
{{reflist|group=note}}
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}
===Sources===
{{refbegin}}
{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |last=Ewart |first=Jim |date=1985 |title=Prestwick Airport Golden Jubilee 1935–1985 |location=Paisley |publisher=Scottish Airports}}
*{{cite book |last=Berry |first=Peter |date=2005 |title=Prestwick Airport and Scottish Aviation |location=[[Stroud]] |publisher=[[The History Press|Tempus]] |isbn=978-0-75243-484-1}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}
* [https://www.glasgowprestwick.com Official website]
* {{NWS-current|EGPK}}
* {{ASN|PIK}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Lcw0wxiuFg The 1938 Palace of Engineering]
{{Portal bar|Scotland|United Kingdom|Aviation}}
{{Transport in Glasgow}}
{{Airports in Scotland}}
{{Airports in the United Kingdom, the British Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories}}{{Public bodies of the Scottish Government}}{{authority control}}

[[Category:Aircraft assembly plants in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1934]]
[[Category:1934 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command on the North Atlantic Route]]
[[Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Airports in Scotland]]
[[Category:Manufacturing plants in Scotland]]
[[Category:Prestwick]]
[[Category:Public corporations of the Scottish Government]]
[[Category:Transport in South Ayrshire]]
[[Category:Elvis Presley]]