Prestwick Airport annual accounts show a record 6th year in profit and the Ayrshire airport is well on its way to a 7th

Prestwick airport annual account figures have been released. An outstanding 6th year of profit is reported, and we are told it is also being followed with record flight and income increases in 2025.

Doug Maclean Aviation Editor.

Prestwick’s continuing success has come after it is revealed that the airport was able to invest £10 million of its own money into development which is paying off handsomely.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport has put out a statement today saying the airport recorded its sixth consecutive year of operating profit, alongside what has been described as transformational growth in its cargo operations.

Siobhian Brown, MSP for Ayr said “Today’s detail regarding Prestwick Airport’s accounts confirm the SNP was right to keep this asset in public hands. The airport has delivered while supporting good local jobs and strengthening Ayrshire’s economy, connectivity and Scotland’s freight capacity. “

Ms Brown continued “This progress stands in stark contrast to the failed approach of privatisation, which would have put jobs and the airport’s future at risk. Any historic debt reflects legacy accounting decisions, not the airport’s current performance. The focus now must be on backing Prestwick’s continued recovery and growth in the public interest.”

The airport returned an operating profit of £3.5 million for the year to 31 March 2025, an increase of £300,000 on the previous year. In the current financial year (2025/26), it has already achieved its full annual operating target within the first six months to September 2025. Over the past 18 months, a total of £10 million has been reinvested into the airfield, ground services equipment and security as part of wider growth plans.

Three years ago, the Glasgow Prestwick Airport board set out a growth strategy focused on customer growth as the main driver for change. Since then, the airport has sought to build on its market strengths, making use of existing assets to support core passenger services while also capturing a larger share of the cargo freighter market, an area in which the airport has significant experience.

As part of this strategy, Prestwick has been established as an alternative UK cargo gateway for the Asian market. In May 2025, two Chinese flagship carriers opened bases at the airport, introducing scheduled daily services to China, a development described as transformational in scale for the airport. In October a 3rd Chinese airline started another 4 times a week freight service into Prestwick.

This time last year there were no freight flights operating between Scotland and China. After Prestwick’s investment in people and equipment there are 3 airlines operating from different parts of China into Prestwick. In total there are 16 freight flights each way between Prestwick and China.

Commenting on the results and the outlook for 2025 to 2026, Glasgow Prestwick Airport chief executive Ian Forgie said: “Cargo volumes are set to treble in 2025/26 with the Airport currently handling 21 wide bodied freighters a week and more than 3,800 tonnes of cargo a month.

This has created more than 150 new jobs at the Airport this year, generating new training opportunities and boosting growth for Ayrshire and the wider Scottish economy. Additionally, this positions Prestwick Airport as a first-class export gateway for Scottish exports such as high value seafood and whisky which are in high demand in mainland China and Hong Kong.

“For the current financial year, the business has exceeded last year’s performance, already achieving its annual operating target in the first six months to September 2025, and is continuing to build on its success this year. We have also made a significant investment in airfield improvements and new equipment to support our expanding cargo operation.

Prestwick Airport is also well known for its role in handling military customers from NATO-aligned countries, including the RAF, the United States Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Its facilities, extensive apron space and experience in handling VVIP movements were highlighted again this summer during the visit to Scotland by the President of the United States, alongside the Prime Minister of the UK, the President of the European Commission and the Vice President of the United States.

In addition, the Royal Navy operating base at the airport continues to play an important role in protecting the UK’s nuclear deterrent, with Prestwick remaining a strategic partner for the Ministry of Defence both now and in the future.

On the passenger side, Ryanair marked 30 years of operations at Prestwick in 2024. The airport reported a successful passenger season, with additional frequencies added and a four per cent year-on-year increase in passenger numbers.

Prestwick remains an important base for the airline, which operates an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility on site employing more than 600 people. In November 2024, Ryanair completed a £5 million investment in its training facility at the airport campus, expected to create up to 500 new engineer and mechanic training positions.

GPA chair Willie Mackie said: “This is the sixth year in a row the airport has returned a profit, and this momentum is clear evidence that the Airport’s strategic focus is not only working but setting a strong foundation for long-term success.

“The performance this financial year to date has been exceptional. The last six months and in particular the growth in the Airport’s cargo operations has been truly transformational and I would thank our staff for their passion and support in helping to deliver real results not only for the Airport but for the wider Ayrshire economy.”

Well done Prestwick. Smart investment at the right time and also staying in public hands. The future looks bright.