Airport denies plot to ditch flight ‘ drain’

Bosses at loss- making Prestwick Airport have been forced to deny they may axe passenger flights.

It follows their admission thatcommercialoperationsare not making money at the Ayrshire base.

Chief executive, Stewart Adams, said a review has been launched to identify where the business was a “real drain on resource”.

He added: “The cost of passenger operations will be looked at.

“The passenger side of the business does not make money.”

But executives denied they were readytoditchRyanair, the airport’s only live carrier.

It follows thefailedapproach to lure 23 passenger airlines in the last year.

Mr Adams made his admission when addressing a hearing of the Scottish Parliament’s rural economy and connectivity committee.

A spokesman for the airport added: “We are delighted that we continue to be seen as key to Ryanair’s operations in Scotland.

“In the financial year 201718, the airport handled more than 700,000 passengers, an increase of 3.5 per cent over the previous year.

“We continue to press hard to win attract new operators.”

But they added that success would come from a “broader approach to business development”.

The spokesman added: “Prestwick as a sustainable proposition points to focusing on its strengths as a niche airport, one less dominated by air passenger operations than rivals.”

Bosses also rubbished the ideatheymaygo ‘ bust’ ifhaving to repay their £ 40 million loan from the Scottish Government.

The spokesman said: “This was in response to a hypothetical question and the reality is that this is not the position.

“The Scottish Government’s commitment was firm when Keith Brown said to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee on May 23 that the Scottish Government has ‘ not set a time limit for a return to profitability or for the repayment of the loan support provided’.”

Ayr MSP John Scott said: “I strongly believe that all efforts should continue to attract new airlines to the site in a bid to drive passenger numbers up and to secure a sustainable future for the airport.

“WithpotentialforPrestwick to be used as a spaceport and with more investment coming to the airport to develop its Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul capability, a further growth area at this time is developing and creating new business on the 885 acre site.”