Scotland's FORGOTTEN International Airport

Glasgow Prestwick Airport was once the primary and main airport of Scotland. The airport was a main crossing point of the North Atlantic transatlantic flight. Now however Glasgow Prestwick Airport is largely forgotten about by Passengers and Airlines alike. Most preferring to fly from Glasgow International airport. So does Glasgow Prestwick have a future? Well this week I fly from Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire over to Pisa International Airport in Italy with Ryanair on one of thier 737 MAX 8 Aircraft to find out.
This is a comprehensive self funded Trip report & aviation flight review of Glasgow Prestwick Airport and Ryanair
#aviation #ryanair #737max
Departure Airport: Glasgow Prestwick Airport
Destination Airport: Pisa International Airport
Airline: Ryanair
Aircraft: 737 MAX 8-200
Aircraft Registration: 9H-VUW
Fare Price: £38
Extras: Seat selection: £7.99
Total Cost: £45.99
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[@WorldWide_Dom]

How do you see Glasgow Prestwick Airport moving forward?

[@jonathancampbell5231]

It sholud expand it's grounds and buildings (if possible) and take flights belonging to Glasgow, Edinburgh or elsewhere. It has a train station. That alone should put it ahead of Glasgow but for some reason it doesn't.

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

​@@jonathancampbell5231Cannot see that happening.

[@ScottishRoss27]

Keep going as it is, publicly owned and its accounts show it made its 4th consecutive year of profit last year for the public purse. It now handles 24% of Scotland's 55,000 tonnes of air freight. It mostly makes its revenue from re-fuelling. Business occupancy is really good, 20 businesses operate within its grounds. 4,500 people are employed by its aviation manufacturing & maintenance cluster. Aircraft are to be scrapped at the Airport in the business's further diversification. Mangata Networks is to open a satellite manufacturing facility there. Spirit Aerosystems opened its 90,000 sq ft aviation manufacturing facility last year. The International Ayr show is due in September 2024. The International Ayr show in September 2023 was mobbed.

[@auldfouter8661]

From the amount of cargo and military flights that nearly go over my house I think it does have an essential purpose.

[@ScottishRoss27]

@@auldfouter8661 England's Doncaster Airport was left to close in 2022. Finland's Helsinki-Malmi Airport closed in 2021. Germany's Berlin Tegel Airport closed in 2020. Poland's Słupsk-Redzikowo Airport closed in 2016. Germany's Bremerhaven Airport closed in 2016. Sweden's Save Airport closed in 2015. England's Manston Airport & Blackpool Airport closed in 2014. England's Bristol Filton Airport closed in 2012. Ireland's Galway Airport & Sligo Airport closed in 2011. England's Plymouth City Airport closed in 2011. Sweden's Barkarby Airport closed in 2010. Belgium's Couthuin Airport closed in 2009. Italy's Vicenza Airport closed in 2008. England's Sheffield City Airport closed in 2008. Denmark's Værløse Airport closed in 2004. England's Ipswich Airport closed in 1998

[@markdevlin7979]

It's no further away from Glasgow than a lot of city airports. Its also much more than an airport. There are literally thousands of people employed in aerospace engineering and servicing at Prestwick. Hardly forgotten ...

[@vidcrit1187]

Some folk forget how important Prestwick still is for cargo, with both Air France and Cargolux operating regular scheduled flights through the airport. It is also a major transit point for military traffic, including the US and Canadian Air Forces. It is also a base for the Coastguard search and rescue helicopter service, and hosts a number of important aircraft engineering facilities such as General Electric, Spirit and of course a major Ryanair aircraft overhaul and maintenance facility

[@frglee]

Pilot training too, I think. I've sat on Ayr beach many times on a Summer's day to have a largish passenger jet plane pass over and around Ayr at a relatively low altitude again and again. Landing and taking off practise?

[@ryleymclean313]

@@frglee correct, this would be pilots practising touch and go’s which involves and aircraft taking off after landing without stopping on the runway. They will also practise things like missed approaches where they will abort a landing and apply full throttle (that’s where you may hear the aircraft most)

[@ScottishT]

Great vid but important to mention Prestwick is still mega important for cargo, trainjng etc. so many old Ryanair planes gone there for scimitar winglets etc

[@ross14wpc42]

Another great video, Dom….thank you. Really enjoyed seeing the inside of the terminal at Prestwick and the views of the Alps were just stunning 😍

[@serafimpereira9483]

My first transatlantic flight as cabin crew was YYZ-PIK back in 1990. Prestwick hold a special place in my heart. Thanks for the video

[@buzzukfiftythree]

In 1959 my Grandmother flew from London Heathrow to Toronto in Canada to visit her sister who she'd not seen for nearly 40 years. The flight (on a TCA Lockheed Constellation) involved three refuelling stops, the first of which was Prestwick. It was a strategically important airport in those days. Times have changed, but I hope that it will stay open for the foreseeable future.

[@robbrownplanespotting]

Another cracking video Dom. I think potential is the key word with Prestwick certainly still has something to offer, probably more in the budget/cargo/ and military moves sectors

[@WorldWide_Dom]

100% i would love to see more development at this airport, there is so much untapped potential.

[@van_trippin5260]

I flew BHX-Prestwick on the Highland Express 747 as a kid just to experience flying. It then flew on to the states. Brings back memories, thanks

[@andrewmorton3177]

Thanks for doing a video on Prestwick. I live 10mins away from it, it’s a great airport, so under appreciated & deserves some attention. My first flight was from Prestwick in 1981, as a 5 year old, on an Air Canada DC8 to Toronto & flew upstairs on a Wardair 747-200 also to Toronto in 85. That’s where my love of aviation came from, some great memories. As you say what Prestwick needs is more budget carriers to get involved, a budget American carrier coming in would be fantastic, it’s got so much to offer.

[@armychap007]

Fantastic video! It's a real shame that Ryanair have cut back so much at Prestwick. Gone are STN, DUB, BVA, HHN, TRF and NYO- I used the HHN flights regularly in the early 2000s. All we are left with now is a handful of sunshine destinations. Interesting that it was only a 50% load on your flight- I think the PSA route suffers due to the very early morning departure from PSA which isn't pleasant. Thanks for uploading this report, I've now subscribed to your channel ✈️

[@BigJimmyJazz]

I had the same feeling changing planes with an early morning layover at Shannon (Ireland) back in 2019. Something was wrong, bigger and more complex than it needed to be for the volume of passengers there. Really hoping these airports will find a second life with point to point carriers like Ryan, Wiz Easyjet, etc Thanks for visiting for us.

[@MacBlogs]

Great Video 👍✈️

[@iainallan5667]

❤Flew to Orlando on the first Laker flight from Prestwick, and we were piped on to the airplane.

[@martinbooker213]

Wow the last time I was at Prestwick was in 1977 I was staying with family that lived in Kilmarnock there were also family staying over from New York,I remember watching them take off from the viewing platform which was fantastic for an eleven year old! It was a boeing 747 either pan-am or continental I can't remember. Thanks for the video!! Brought back some memories 🎉 I must get back I want to go to Urquhart castle as I was bourne an Urquhart.

[@scotlandthebrave334]

I love Prestwick Airport. I've gotten flights to Poland and Ireland from there. The train costs £11 from Glasgow Central. In comparison to Glasgow airport, where it costs me a flat standard £27 drop off fare for a taxi. And you need to pay to pick up friends. Prestwick also featured in the Del Amirti music video - Don't come home too soon! With Scotland and the Tartan Army. It's brilliant! We're off to Germany this year for Euro 2024. P.S. Great vlog!

[@scooboy]

Used Prestwick in the past with Ryanair and was always hassle free with all the airport staff being very friendly

[@EinkOLED]

Back in 2009, I took a day flight from Stansted to Prestwick for no more than £2.50 return. The flight had about 50 passengers and some training pilots, who were to fly the real aircraft for the first time for their base training around Prestwick. The train fare also included a discount when showing your boarding pass. Ryanair used to be really cheap, no need to pay for hand luggage or pay for seats.

[@gftyhify]

I used to fly from Prestwick all the time especially between 2000-2003 when I lived in East Ayrshire. My most recent visit was in 2010. A lot of destinations were permanently removed the following year like London Stansted and Paris Beauvais

[@Fat_Cat_747]

I remember in the 1970's as a kid watching from the outdoor viewing deck, a Comet aircraft still in service. Taking off from a side runway, what a noise and what an acceleration ! Aviation memories.

[@johnmehaffey9953]

Prestwick was chosen because it was free from poor weather for some reason it was nearly always fog free, well that’s what I was told roughly 40 years ago, nice post 😊

[@jackhenderson9798]

I’ve flown into Prestwick loads, the ATC are the friendliest I’ve ever encountered. All the staff at Prestwick aviation services are great also

[@johnmg88]

I loved my trip out of Prestwick recently. The only time ive flown ryanair and not felt herded or stressed. Shame it's so far away for an east coaster.

[@andrewcoogans471]

Wizzair used to be pretty big at Prestwick, 4 destinations and I think around 12 or 14 flights a week. Compared with the hassle of flying low cost carriers from bigger airports, Prestwick has a lot going for it for passengers.

[@desgilroy1357]

It was used for some Street Rave Weekenders in the 90's bangin!

[@Chris-iu7in]

They finally updated the airport, last time I was there it still had an old fashion ticker display for the departure/arrive board.

[@normanmcleod7169]

About time a budget airline flew between Prestwick and Aberdeen. I has been many years since there was a regular direct connection from Glasgow or Edinburgh.

[@gordonwilson1631]

Flew Ryanair from Prestwick to Carcassonne a few years ago. Fantastic.

[@red.guevarra]

Wow, you certainly put Prestwick on my radar. As is that bolognaise sauce, which actually made me hungry LOL!

[@carolinecaiger6717]

In 1966, my family was on our way back to Canada from our first trip home since we emigrated. We left London on a BOAC 707 with a stop at Prestwick. Shortly after leaving there, we lost an engine. I remember looking down at the ocean and coastline as we turned back. Scary! We made it to Montreal safely a few hours later :)

[@stanleybuchan4610]

We couldn't get into RAF Brize Norton a few weeks ago and diverted to PWK. It was a Wednesday and it was my first time there in 50 years. I was surprised how quiet it was.

[@thegoalie5233]

I did my base training Prestiwick, it was a beautiful scenery to fly an airliner VFR in.

[@Timstravels01]

I took my first ever flight from Prestwick to Stanted in the 90s. Flew with Ryanair…what ever happened to them? Great vid Dom.

[@WorldWide_Dom]

Thanks Tim, I think the Ryanair to Stansted could be an amazing route for Prestwick, Inverness and Aberdeen in general.

[@Daisy-Daisy0512]

I’ve always really liked Prestwick airport …especially coming back into to land when you fly over the sea. At some points you get the illusion you could literally touch the water. I remember when it was much busier with flights and when you could take your kids to the viewing gallery to watch the planes take off and land. Weather wise it’s one of the most reliable airports in uk and is famously referred to as the Fog free airport. It’s a shame it’s not more utilised it’s literally on my doorstep but we have to go to Glasgow or Edinburgh for most destinations.

[@jamesramage1641]

Great vid Flew from Prestwick,when ryanair had flights to London Although it's sad with the lack of flights, it won't stop me from using it , stress free Off to Majorca a week on Saturday 😁😁

[@WorldWide_Dom]

Enjoy your trip!

[@stevewhite1538]

Saw my 1st 747 there back in the early 70s saw concord do a flyby at the airshow again in the early 70s absolutely stunning, the daily thrill was the launch of the Canadian airforce Starfighters again in the 70s. knicknamed the widow maker

[@colinrenfrew48]

My first trip to the US was on a Northwest 747 from PIK. Glory days!

[@chrisjohnson3590]

Same, straight to Boston Logan. 1982 for me, IIRC

[@brians3491]

What a lovely large calm clean airport. Makes a huge change from the panic and stress of travelling through many European hubs. Pity there are not more flights from there

[@robinmaelbrancke2560]

BOAC use to fly here from Canada in the 70's on their Manchester route from YYZ. It would land in Montreal at Mirabel, then Prestwick before carrying on on to Manchester. Flew it many times on a VC10...

[@BrianS5588]

Having emigrated to Australia with my parents in 1961 when 2 years old, Prestwick Airport was where I met most of my extended family for in effect the first time when we visited Scotland in 1972. I remember all of them crowded around the arrival gate (we had flown up from London on a BEA flight). So that airport has that memory for me. But on our return I remember the very long car journey back to Prestwick and even then had a sense that this airport was a long way from Glasgow.

[@auldfouter8661]

Yes but it's motorway or dual carriageway all the way and only about 30 miles ! How far are Gatwick and Stansted from London? Answer 31 miles and 38 miles respectively.

[@176MarkW]

Prestwick certainly has an impressive amount of space and infrastructure available, and does feel very underused. Perhaps its future is more as a cargo and engineering hub. Totally agree that WizzAir should be making more of it. Although fine for accessing Glasgow I do feel Prestwick is a bit of a trek for those looking to access the big tourist hubs of Edinburgh City and the Highlands, so it obviously has some disadvantages in terms of location. But it was great to get a look round in your video, as it's an airport I've never set foot in. Hope you enjoyed your break in Pisa, a city I've enjoyed in the past.

[@GLAFly]

Oh the memories (good, and bad). I first landed at PIK on a (very) short hop from GLA on an Air2000 757 going to Orlando in 1989, as GLA (at that point) didn't have status as a transatlantic gateway, so we had to fly GLA-PIK-BGR-MCO. Never got off the aircraft at PIK - was a quick top off of the tanks and then off again. Have less fond memories of the Air Wales ATR42s that I used to have to take to CWL, when they operated the franchise for BMI Baby on that route (until BMI started operating directly from GLA). Was always delayed. It's such a shame that it's never been more successful as an airport - it's not a bad location, but just feels like you've stepped back into the 60s whenever you walk in the building.

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

Hello Dom, before Peretola opened to civilian flights it was Pisa which acted as the gateway to Florence. Pisa is so close to downtown. I wonder if you sampled the 'Pisa mover' monorail ?

[@WorldWide_Dom]

I did Sample the Monorail, Must say I'm quite envious of how easy it was to get from the airport to the train station. I did film it, but sadly it was a failed shoot as i broke some of my camera clips and handle while assisting a woman with her luggage on the train to Milan..........then i may have fallen asleep on the train. 😅

[@machaviationofficial]

Excellent video! I’ve flown out of PIK quite a few times recently. By far my favourite out of the 3 centrals. Love how quiet it is! It’s like flying out of your own private jet terminal!

[@gordonbradley3241]

Prestwick was the place where elvis stood on UK soil !

[@merylturner2220]

My son was at uni in Edinburgh and used to ply Bournemouth to Prestwick 2004 for 4 years often. Sad that Prestwick so under used now.

[@OrganMusicYT]

I live close to Prestwick. It's not forgotten, especially by cargo and militaries from all across the world.

[@lechiffre1914]

When I was a child, Prestwick was Scotland's ONLY international airport and the place to collect more passengers on the Heathrow to JFK route! Very sad whats happened to such a tremendous resource!!!

[@MattNav]

Awesome job Dom! I seem to recall as a kid hearing about old Flyglobespan who used to fly from Glasgow Prestwick though I'm not 100% sure on that

[@ShrunkedDude]

I'm flying to Lanzarote from here in 3 weeks. Even though Paisley is closer to Glasgow International I feel more comfortable going to Prestwick since you can get a train which takes about 30 minutes. Prestwick should also be really useful for those in the South like Dumfries, Ayr and Kilmarnock.

[@macflod]

In July 1986 i flew out of here with my mum and Auntie a couple of weeks before my 2nd birthday. It was my first flight and was on a Wardair 747-100 to Vancover. Think Prestwick is also main air cargo hub in Scotland. Yeah would be cool to have more flights but i think the cost to get there negates gain of the budget tickets. Personally i think only way more flights would move there is if Glasgow gets so busy it becomes an overspill for Glasgow.

[@eddmorrell90]

Great video mate👍 the airport and staff are awesome! They used to have really popular flights to Dublin, Stanstead and Scandinavia, but they all stopped about the same time Ryanair moved in/ took over! Politics maybe idk! It’s a shame in my humble opinion.

[@dakrontu]

I went there half a century ago. Dunno about now, but back then it was a social hangout venue for young people. No flights at the time, due to the weather.

[@telemachus53]

I always wondered why there are 2 airports relatively close to one another. Since you asked: If they could expand to include internal flights, such as Heathrow or Luton to to Glasgow I'd definitely use it. I hate shuttles (BTW: The sound quality is better as you record yourself on the go than when you record at home as voice over).

[@williamlorimer060867]

Living near Prestwick Airport it is actually a busy airport but it’s all military

[@jamesboylen2230]

Flew from Prestwick to LAX direct in 1980 with Freddie Laker…. 10 hours 30 minutes…..DC 10.

[@duncancallum]

I remember flying from LAX to London in DC10 and it certainly used a lot of runway for sure.

[@deportivopaname9846]

Nice video but I feel its an opportunity missed to explain the history and geography. It's also much busier over summer with the charter flights and a major cargo base for the UK. Hoping for a follow up.

[@markjewell86]

It really is a sleeping Giant. Growing up close to the airport I remember it being one of the only airports in Scotland that could handle the Concorde, along with many other fantastic benefits. Quite possibly the best transport link with the direct train station on site too, I believe the airport has endless potential which is sadly not being used. I agree with your comments that other airlines should be looking at Prestwick as a potential new hub, and a couple of these comments about bringing back direct transatlantic travel from the airport!

[@JonathanOliver-wx4kv]

Back in 80s-90s, I was cabin crew for a US based airline , we flew to Prestwick airport from Boston.Back then it was Northwest Airlines but merged and became Delta airlines

[@samgarnett9174]

Our friends live in Ayr so we drive around that airport all the time. We think of moving there so it would be ideal for holidays to Spain.

[@ladygardener100]

PWK is a master diversion airport, once there were hu dreds of aircraft parked up, in the days before aircraft could pretty much land themselves.😊 The weather closed in and Heatnrow, Glasgow etc were closed.

[@xanpagebrown]

I think even Exeter airport has more flights, despite being a MUCH smaller airport. It used to be fairly busy, but when FlyBe went bust, it lost a lot of flights as Exeter was the base for Exeter Airport

[@georgemcclafferty]

I flew to Halifax NS.in1977 on air Canada 🇨🇦 my first time flying from Prestwick and a few more times after that before all international flights were moved to Glasgow. Do you know if they still have the viewing gallery at Prestwick I liked watching the planes ✈️ landing and taking off.

[@glendryhurst8234]

I have always loved Ryanaair, but then I love all western airlines. My flights thro PIK were excellent, I liked the airport, the route, the airline, the experience and the good economics of it.

[@whatwhenwherehere]

Its just crazy to me why prestwick is not used more. Such easy access from public transport makes it great. When we fly from glasgow i feel i always need to take the car

[@rtgMTB]

Been here many many times as a kid but I never even thought about the fact that I hadn't been there in years.

[@pjotrtje0NL]

Prestwick is nowadays a staging point for Canadian military aircraft (C130, KC30, etc.) and USAF (C130 mainly).

[@laurencegale2763]

There has been some talk of it going a similar route to Newquay and getting into satellite launches. Not that that's gone well so far...

[@glennsaviationlove669]

I have a soft spot for Prestwick as that was the airport my late dad took me to watch the planes coming in from america/canada with 747,dc10,ttristars,dc-8 and 707 oh forgot VC 10 ,going forward I do agree surprise there isnt more of the budget airliners using the Airport(would be cheaper to us) and with a train station that can take you straight to Glasgow without all the traffic on the road. Freighters and military is now the main focus so how to move forward is difficult ,the airport is a bit old and needs rebuilding to a modern look but again that all money so it going to be very hard for prestwick to get the good old days again

[@roddyrobertson5393]

I really think that if a budget carrier set up a transatlantic flight once a day from Prestwick to New York there would be a market for such a flight. Maybe I am living in the past? 🤔

[@jamesramage1641]

Thanks for your comments we are having a fantastic time

[@ZAClimbingNoutdoors]

Ahh dom, there is one exception. I live near Campbeltown airport, and use the Loganair Campbeltown-Glasgow intl route as a first leg for a flight. Once, the pilot said we would be diverted to pik, because Gla-intl was in dense fog. Being scotland, the clouds had moved by the time we arrived, and we went to intl after all. It is rare, but it does happen.

[@WorldWide_Dom]

Interesting, and Campbeltown you say? I may have a video on that flight coming up soon 😉

[@ZAClimbingNoutdoors]

Ooh! I’ll keep an eye out!

[@ladygardener100]

I did my PPL at the flying school, cross country was to Glasgow and return, which was scary as Glasgow was in a Marsh, there was hardly any faci.ities co pared to PWK in those days. They did not even have a dedicated train station

[@jobbiejew]

My local airport :) used to work here a number of years ago. It could be a gem of an airport if the powers that be ran things properly.

[@aryanscience]

BA used to fly to Montreal from here,,,,MANY years ago!!

[@vjfeefeecat586]

I used to work in one of the car hire offices there years ago 😂 usually on the late shift …….

[@billymiller4586]

Prestwick Airport = Euro Dance, was a great venue for a night out, in the 1990's.

[@gordonmills2239]

Elvis landed at Prestwick on his only visit to UK

[@ladygardener100]

In the 1950s we had to drive across the runway, there were gates at the west end.

[@egpx]

You said Prestwick feels like an airport that has come and gone. That's true, only it has done this twice. It was Scotland's transatlantic gateway for many postwar years and whilst it was never very busy it was an important airport. During the 80s though traffic fell off as airlines found it difficult to make it pay. By the early 90s it was almost deserted and its Transatlantic gateway status was removed. In the mid-90s Ryanair started serving London and then some other destinations. Within a few years it became a busy place, serving far more passengers than it had done in the Transatlantic Gateway days. However, a few years later and Ryanair moved most flights to Edinburgh to cater for inbound passengers, leaving a few holiday destinations at Prestwick but nothing else. It is now as quiet as you discovered. It's a bit busier in the summer but once again is a shadow of what it was fifteen to twenty years ago. Nowadays cargo and military transport aircraft keep it going as much as Ryanair. It's a shame for those of us who live near to it.

[@andrewcoogans471]

The 2000s were really busy days for Prestwick. They used to have Aer Arann to the Isle of Man and Donegal, plus Wizzair and all the sunshine charter flights too. As you said, this second wave of success fell away as the major airports began to develop packages to attract the low cost carriers. Hopefully some innovation will come along that means Prestwick will have a third wave of success!

[@egpx]

@@andrewcoogans471 Transavia to Amsterdam for a year or so too. Shame it didn’t last. I really can’t see much of a future beyond what we have at the moment unfortunately but who knows?

[@raydearie9805]

I was expecting this to be about Aberdeen

[@WorldWide_Dom]

Haha Yes I can see that. Very much in the running i think, about if we are talking about international airports in Scotland that have fallen far in terms of passengers and number of routes, then i feel it definitely has to be Prestwick.

[@scottishtrainspotter7209]

I was in Glasgow airport for the first time not to long ago, just seeing a few airlines there just sad to compare it to Prestwick airport of how empty it is and not many flight departure in or out of there. I can see why everyone mainly use Glasgow airport.

[@WorldWide_Dom]

It is very sad to see it underused, I think there could be a lot more usage if Budget carriers moved in.

[@PRCOM]

You are right prestwick has enormous potential but for some reason its always overlooked, i spent many happy years working there for polar air in maintenance. Prestwick airport has the 2nd longest runway in Europe with the first being campbelltown. Prestwick is perfect for a fully loaded A380 unlike Glasgow airport where its runway is not long enough for a fully loaded A380 and is barely long enough for a fully loaded queen of the sky

[@cameronabell76]

Campbeltown or prestwick aren't even close to being the longest runways in Europe . I can't find a definitive list, but the longest in the UK are the main runways at Heathrow, at nearly 1 km longer than campbeltown - there are a few on contintental Europe that are way past 4km.

[@PRCOM]

@cameronabell76 you should check again as the info you have seen is incorrect.

[@PRCOM]

@cameronabell76 Campbeltown is situated 3 miles to the west of the airport and can be easily accessed with a taxi or hire car. The airport runway, at 3,049 m, is the longest in Europe and RAF Machrihanish hosted UK military and NATO base operations here until 1997.

[@cameronabell76]

@@PRCOM Where are you quoting that from? Literally, the main runway at Heathrow airport is over 3900m long - nearly 1km longer than Campbeltown! Perhaps *you* should check again as the info *you* have seen is incorrect. Incidentally the longest runway in Europe is almost certainly at Madrid, at OVER 4300m long. Campbeltown and Prestwick are way smaller.

[@PRCOM]

@cameronabell76 maybe if you had any common sense you would check in Google as that would tell you the same thing iv said. Now there are many pilots who all know this fact and as you think you know better I'm guessing you don't work in aviation. And You think ur smarter than Google 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 #idiot

[@richardstreet7518]

Good LNG fire training at the airport.

[@GoodGuyChucky-666]

I agree there is still potential for Prestwick to be a hub for budget carriers in the same way London Stansted airport is, maybe they prefer GLA airport in Paisley, as Paisley is more closer to the greater Glasgow area than Prestwick, it is what is

[@johncrwarner]

Prestwick and Shannon in Ireland were a product of the old days. It made me wonder what Shannon Airport has done?

[@andrewcoogans471]

Shannon is still a relatively large base for Ryanair, among others. They have the advantage of a reasonably large catchment area with no other airports too close. Also Shannon has USA "Pre-clearance" Immigration, so any flights to the USA clear passport control in Shannon and avoid the queues when they land in the US. This has meant a reasonable transatlantic service remains which is attractive to airlines and passengers, especially with the large number of Americans of Irish descent visiting.

[@rabsrealm]

My mum played the bagpipes for Mohammed Ali at Prestwick when she was a teenager. She piped him off the plane when he stopped over to refuel on his way to Europe.

[@scotlandthebrave334]

The fact the airport is empty seems more advantageous. Who wants the headache and mania of security and long queues to check baggage in. Prestwick is brilliant. It gets a lot of stick from the press who like to beat it because it's Government owned. But it's important.

[@chrisjohnson3590]

My fave airport, drop my car off in Troon at my pals and he takes me to PIK. No carrying on from unruly travellers, just total relaxation.

[@davidbbone]

Prestwick has had it's challenges for years but I think it should really be pushing it's cargo operation as opposed to passenger. It's a shame, but I suppose the target market for every business evolves over time.

[@liambarker6953]

Can't see WizzAir going back to Prestwick since they abandoned it many years ago.

[@ianbowie5096]

I am an Ayrshire lad and always fascinates with how Prestwick wasnt better utilised.... The real reason for its demise was that Galsgow City Council and its ego wanted an airport and when the old Renfrew Airport wasnt able to be extended/ upgraded they "politicised" the situation and as a result of political egos developed what is now Glasgow Airport... What should have happened was that UK Transport and Aviation authoriites should have blocked Glasgows development and focused on Edinburgh and Prestwick as its 2 main hubs....and develeoped the rail and road networks hand in hand with airport. Had this been done in late 70s and 80s Prestwick would by now be THE major international hub for Scotland... Politics and councillor egos are nota good mix!!

[@jsimpson6002]

Ian, rail and road links between Ayrshire and the rest of Scotland has always been at the prerogative of those in charge in Glasgow City Chambers. The M77 replaced the deadly 3 lane A77 trunk road as late as 2005. This upgrade should have taken place 50 years ago, but for the big cheeses in Glasgow worried about any improvements to road links from the central belt to Prestwick.

[@richarddye9170]

Flying from PIK you can often be sharing the departure lounge with US military personnel having a refuelling break on a trip between the US and sandy places. Years ago I would regularly take the 6.30am flight to BVA and one morning there was a family in departures with the man being at least 6'6" tall, very noticeable. It was very wet and windy and once outside everyone sprinted for the aircraft steps. When the cabin crew did their head count, they said they were three short and after ten minutes or so the tall guy, wife and child boarded in a bedraggled state, soaked to the skin. On leaving the terminal, they'd bolted, heads down to the nearest aircraft steps which was an RAF trooping flight taking Army guys to Cyprus. Amazingly they got on board without any checks and only realised their error when they discovered all the other pax were burly guys in combat gear.

[@TheSpuds214]

I love prestwick

[@kameraddog624]

The last time I landed in Prestwick it was filled with American and Canadian airforce fighter and transport planes. Quite surreal actually, billions worth just sitting there. This was around June/July 2023. The airport clearly still has its uses.

[@EdgarAlexai]

To be honest, I feel like Glasgow Airport is starting to go a similar way to Prestwick. It’s a huge airport but you can only really fly to Europe and Dubai from there now. It definitely feels as though it’s managed like a small regional airport rather than the airport for the largest city in the country. Having said that, I don’t think there’s enough people within the Central Belt to warrant three airports all within close-ish proximity to each other. Prestwick Airport is 1hr and 16 minutes driving time to Edinburgh Airport according to Google Maps. I would love there to be more flights from Glasgow and the West because Edinburgh airport is far too small for the amount of people it gets.

[@fdotcameron]

I was going to say its location lets it down but it literally has a train station outside it

[@thenorseguy2495]

Prestwick are about the same distance from Glasgow as Oslo airport are to Oslo in Norway

[@WorldWide_Dom]

I didn't know that, i new Oslo airport was a while away from the city but i didn't know it was that far.

[@thenorseguy2495]

It’s at least easy to get there by train. It’s freeway all the way too

[@jimgemmell2831]

Sneaky Dom.....not letting on you were at PIK and i'm just up the road from it. Tut tut 😂😂 Prestwick is so underused, it's a shame. Train and bus links, but everybody goes to Glasgow and/or Edinburgh. Ps..be surprised if you find a local who calls it Glasgow Prestwick, just good ol' Prestwick.

[@ladygardener100]

I find it confusing When they renamed it they shou,d have called it Prestwick (Glasgow International). At least then you know there are two airports near Glasgow.

[@Brian3989]

The history of Prestwick is the era of aircraft that could not fly direct from Heathrow to North America with sufficient fuel load for the flight. Prestwick allowed planes to load with fuel and have a long climb out. Another part of Prestwick is the short wave radio communication with aircraft crossing the North Atlantic, operated in conjunction with the station at Shannon in Ireland.

[@frglee]

I think they used to do several hops for refuelling purposes in the late 40s and in the 50s before jet aircraft. BOAC flew from London Airport (Heathrow) to Prestwick, then Prestwick to Gander in Newfoundland, then the final hop to New York. Scandinavian Airlines and KLM did something similar via Prestwick.

[@liamb8644]

Prestwick would have heavies like the 747 on the daily back in the 70s 80s 90s even the 00s