Prestwick’s reliance on US military ‘legitimate’, says economy secretary

Economy secretary Keith Brown has rebuffed continuing criticism of Prestwick Airport’s reliance on foreign military aircraft, describing it as a “legitimate” source of revenue for the state-owned hub.

The Scottish Government has been condemned for avoiding scrutiny of the lossmaking airport’s business with the likes of the US Air Force, amid accusations it is a “staging post” for frontline operations in Syria and elsewhere.

But Mr Brown said: “Any question over questionable military activities in airspace 0 Keith Brown said military air traffic at Prestwick has fallen is completely reserved to the UK government, whether it is aerospace, defence, or security. It is the case that this is a legitimate part of the business of the airport.”

He pointed out that movements of military aircraft at Prestwick has fallen from 9,000 at the turn of the millennium to around 3,600, but the most recent annual report of the hub’s parent company shows income from military aircraft handling has jumped by £292,000 since 2013/4.

Prestwick generates nearly £1.1m a year in revenue from military traffic.

By contrast, it makes only around £350,000 from general aviation.

Green MSP Ross Greer said: “It’s appalling that Scottish ministers are happy to allow a public asset to support US military operations in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere.”