Ayrshire’s Glasgow Prestwick Airport enjoys its busiest day ever

By: Neil Richardson

GLASGOW PRESTWICK AIRPORT has experienced its busiest day ever, handling more than 10,000 passengers for the first time.


[Pictured: Glasgow Prestwick Airport chief executive Mark Rodwell.]

The milestone was reached on Friday 27 June – the last official day of school in Scotland and traditionally a busy day for airports with thousands jetting off to the sun.

This is reflected in the balance of inbound and outbound passengers, with 5,334 flying out and 4,883 flying in.

There were 68 flights on the day, 52 scheduled and 16 charter, with an average load factor of just under 82%.

The most popular flights were those serving London (Ryanair) and Majorca (Seguro), each carrying nearly 1,500 passengers.

Dublin was also a popular choice with just under 1,000 which helped push the Irish total for the day over 2,000.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport chief executive Mark Rodwell said: “The fact that we have just experienced our busiest ever day is a welcome boost as we enter July and August, our two busiest months of the year.

“It also demonstrates the strength of our scheduled and charter programmes, despite the problems currently facing the aviation industry.”

He added: “Ryanair are offering sunseekers the chance to extend their summer this year, with new flights from Prestwick to Malaga, Tenerife and Faro starting at the end of October.

“With the strong Euro, any travellers looking for more from their pound should consider some of Prestwick’s eastern European destinations, for example the four Polish destinations served by Wizz Air.”

Airport raises £1,000 for CLIC Sargent

AND Glasgow Prestwick Airport employees have raised £1,000 for the nearby Malcolm Sargent House through donations from their wages.

Workers voted to make Malcolm Sargent House, and it’s parent charity CLIC Sargent, one of the organisations to benefit from the airport’s employee charity fund, and each employee is free to choose the amount they donate every month.


[Pictured: Malcolm Sargent fundraising manager May Gilchrist (second left) receiving the cheque from the Airport’s Carole-Anne Elliot, Gillian McPherson, Alison Blackman and Jo Dunlop.]

The money was handed over, in the form of a cheque, to the charity’s community fundraising manager May Gilchrist at the CLIC Sargent Ladies Night which took place on Saturday 28 June in the Princess Royal Suite at Ayr Racecourse.

A group of employees who purchased their own tickets for the event presented the cheque in front of 450 guests. They were Gillian McPherson, Carol-Anne Elliot, Alison Blackman and Jo Dunlop.

The airport also donated flights to be used as raffle prizes at the event.

www.glasgowprestwick.com

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Glasgow Prestwick Airport reports
increased passenger and freight numbers

GLASGOW PRESTWICK AIRPORT’S performance in May saw year-on-year and month-on-month increases in the number of passengers handled.


[Pictured: Glasgow Prestwick Airport chief executive Mark Rodwell.]

A total of 221,840 passengers used the airport during May – this represents rises of 2.5% on May 2007 and 12% on April’s performance.

The main driver for the positive year-on-year variance is increased capacity on a number of existing routes and new Ryanair and Wizz Air destinations, introduced since May last year.

These new destinations include Belfast, Budapest, Cork, Katowice and Poznan, while Ryanair have recently announced three new routes for the coming winter – Malaga, Tenerife and Faro.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport also handled 2,704 tonnes of freight during May, representing an increase of 5% on May 2007.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport chief executive Mark Rodwell said: “This is a pleasing result in what is a challenging economic environment, and paves the way for what we anticipate will be a successful summer.”

www.glasgowprestwick.com

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There are currently 272 Ayrshire business stories permanently archived on this site. To locate those of most interest to you, please use the site search facility in the top left hand corner of this page. Type your search term in the white box, then click “SEARCH BLOG”.

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Glasgow Prestwick Airport introduces
four new sunshine holiday air routes

By: Neil Richardson

RYANAIR has today (Thursday 29 May) announced three new destinations from Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire.

From the end of October Ryanair will operate flights to the popular sunshine destinations of Malaga, Tenerife and Faro. Seats are already on sale at www.ryanair.com

The announcement further strengthens Glasgow Prestwick Airport’s route network, bringing the total number of scheduled destinations operated by Ryanair to 29 following several new route announcements in the last year.

Ryanair will also introduce an additional daily flight on their Belfast service, which currently operates once a day.


Glasgow Prestwick Airport chief executive Mark Rodwell (pictured above) commented: “Today’s announcement once again demonstrates Ryanair’s commitment to expand and offer the best choice of European routes from Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

“These new destinations have always been popular among Scots holidaymakers, and it is great news that they will now be available throughout winter, with Ryanair’s low fares making them even more attractive.

“The Belfast service has performed well in the business and leisure markets since its introduction last year, and the additional daily flight offers passengers on that route more flexibility.”

Ryanair’s sales and marketing manager for the UK and Ireland Bridget Dowling said: “Over two million passengers travelling from Glasgow Prestwick Airport this year will save over £100 million by choosing Ryanair’s guaranteed lowest fares over our competitors.

“This latest route expansion will deliver low fares to Faro, Malaga and Tenerife. Our existing routes will meanwhile provide passengers with lower fares and better punctuality compared to the high fares levied by British Airways and Easyjet in Scotland.

“To celebrate these new routes, we are giving away seats from £10 one-way for travel in June and July, and we recommend passengers to book these £10 seats immediately on www.ryanair.com as demand for these guaranteed lowest fares will ensure that they're snapped up quickly.”

Holiday flights to Turkey from Scottravel

And holiday flights from Glasgow Prestwick Airport to Turkey started up this week, with the first sunseekers flying out on Monday 26 May.


[Pictured from left: Glasgow Prestwick Airport staff Louise Muir, John Kennedy, Gillian McPherson and (far right) Nicola Clark with Robert and Freda Sweeny from Winton Street, Ardrossan, passengers on the first Scottravel flight to Dalaman in Turkey. CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION.]

And the people behind the flights to Dalaman, Scottravel Holidays, have some great offers for passengers looking to travel in June.


[Pictured: early passengers to Dalaman - sisters Jessica and Jasmin Bradford from Barbieston Road, Auchinleck, with their grandmother Grace Bradford.]

The Lanarkshire-based firm will fly once a week over the summer season to Dalaman, which serves the popular and lively resort of Marmaris, its laid-back sister resort Icmeler, and also the Fethiye region which includes Olu Deniz and Ovacik/Hisaronu.


[Pictured: early Dalaman passengers Helen and Calum Keenan from Marina Road, Prestwick, with Glasgow Prestwick Airport’s Gillian McPherson (centre). This is the first trip to Turkey for the Keenans. Calum is a human resources officer with South Ayrshire Council and Helen is a lecturer at Strathclyde University.]

Glasgow Prestwick Airport chief executive Mark Rodwell commented: “It’s great news that we can add Turkey to our growing range of summer holiday options for 2008.

“Many holidaymakers are now turning their attention away from the more traditional European destinations due to a very unfavourable exchange rate from the pound to the Euro.

“This makes Turkey a more attractive proposition to visit, not to mention the soaring summer temperatures it gets. We have worked with Scottravel Holidays before, and look forward to working with them over the summer.”

Scottravel Holidays managing director Serkan Aydin added: “Turkey is a vast country which is steeped in history and culture. The hospitality is also exceptional, and provides visitors with the warm Turkish welcome that our clients enjoy so much.

“We have extensive knowledge of the best holiday resorts, accommodation and facilities which means we can create the perfect Turkish adventure to suit all tastes and budgets.”

Scottravel is online at www.scottravelholidays.co.uk or call 01698 745522 seven days a week, Monday - Saturday 9am to 6pm; and Sunday
11am to 4pm.

www.glasgowprestwick.com

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Glasgow Prestwick Airport re-opens
Ayrshire’s gateway to South of France

By: Neil Richardson

GLASGOW PRESTWICK AIRPORT is delighted to announce that its gateway to the south of France reopened today (Thursday 1 May).

Ryanair’s direct low cost service to Marseille will carry thousands of Scots to the warmth of the Mediterranean over the summer, and Glasgow Prestwick Airport is expected to handle an additional 40,000 passengers as a result.


Among the passengers on the first Marseille flight of 2008 were Ian and Eleanor Macdonald from Irvine (pictured above), who booked up in January for a 10-day barge tour in the Marseille area.

Ian and Eleanor were chosen at random from the passengers to receive a bottle of champagne and a pair of return flights to Marseille to mark the occasion.


[Pictured: Eleanor and Ian MacDonald with GPA marketing executive Louise Muir (left) and GPA marketing manager Gillian McPherson (right). CLICK ON EITHER IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION.]

The flights operate three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and an early departure time from Scotland means visitors to the region can make the most of their first full day there.

An ideal climate and location make Marseille a versatile destination – take in the splendour of France’s second city and largest port, or use it as a gateway to Provence, and the Provencal way of life, by visiting spots such as Aix-en-Provence or Saint Tropez which, while quieter, are no less impressive.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport chief executive Mark Rodwell said: “It is great to see the Marseille flights are back for the summer, as it is a fantastic destination for a holiday or even a short break.

“Marseille and Provence are areas that have something for everyone, with amazing coastal scenery and there is enough to satisfy those with a passion for art, history, culture, nightlife, sport and great food and drink.”

Ryanair’s UK sales and marketing executive Ashley Casey added: “We are delighted to welcome back today this service from Glasgow Prestwick Airport to Marseille, a popular destination for holidaymakers and second home owners. Marseille adds to the fantastic range of European destinations we now offer from Glasgow Prestwick Airport at guaranteed lowest fares.

“To celebrate Ryanair is offering flights from Glasgow Prestwick Airport to Marseille from £10.00* as well as some exciting European destinations from as little as £5.00* one-way including airport taxes and charges.

“Jet off to Belfast, Stockholm (Skavsta) or Barcelona (Reus) for just £5.00 from Glasgow Prestwick Airport! This unbelievable offer must end at midnight on Thursday 8 May, so we urge passengers to log onto www.ryanair.com and book immediately!”

Ryanair swapped the Marseille service for flights to Grenoble over the winter months, offering ski enthusiasts the chance their first ever ski route out of Glasgow Prestwick Airport during the winter months, when they offered winter sports enthusiasts the cheapest fares to Grenoble.

* Flights subject to availability.

www.glasgowprestwick.com
www.infratil.com
www.ryanair.com

Glasgow Prestwick Airport staff celebrate St Patrick’s Day

WORKERS at Glasgow Prestwick Airport got into the spirit of St Patrick’s Day on Monday 17 March by dressing up in the hope of winning flights to the Emerald Isle.


More than 40 flights now leave the airport every week bound for six popular Irish destinations – Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Shannon, Derry are served by Ryanair and Donegal by Aer Arann.


Both airlines donated flight tickets as prizes for the best dressed personnel, and the winners were –

Andrea Rae : Information Desk : Cork

Carrie Paterson : Ticket Desk : Belfast

Ian Harding : Security : Donegal

Martha Harvey : Sercon (cleaners) : Shannon

Sharon Smith : SSP (Yates’s Bar) : Derry

Glasgow Prestwick Airport is located 32 miles south of Glasgow City Centre and celebrated its 70th birthday in 2005.

The airport currently handles approximately 2.5 million passengers per year and offers more than 30 scheduled services to European destinations, as well as charter flights to popular holiday spots. Glasgow Prestwick has excellent road and rail links to the rest of Scotland.

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Ryanair doubles daily flights between
Glasgow Prestwick Airport and Bournemouth

RYANAIR will operate two daily flights between Glasgow Prestwick Airport and Bournemouth for the summer 2008 season, starting on Thursday 3 April.


The move provides both business and leisure travellers with greater flexibility when moving between Scotland and the south coast of England, while also providing direct competition to services operating out of Glasgow Abbotsinch.

Ryanair’s head of sales and marketing Caroline Baldwin commented: “We are delighted with the extra daily flight between Glasgow Prestwick and Bournemouth as it will make life a lot easier, particularly for the business travellers in both regions, who will have the opportunity to travel out and back in the same day.

“It is also an added incentive for people in the south of England to make the most of the fantastic shopping Glasgow has to offer with easy access to the city centre, and with Ryanair’s low fares it becomes cheaper than travelling to London!”

Glasgow Prestwick Airport chief executive Mark Rodwell added: “Ryanair are well-known for their ability to spot gaps in the market, and by making the Bournemouth service double daily they are making it a viable route for day trippers and business travellers.”

www.glasgowprestwick.com

www.ryanair.com

www.bournemouthairport.com

Ayrshire Scotland Business News -
where Ayrshire business news breaks first!

Ayrshire Chamber demands that Air Route Development Fund be retained

AYRSHIRE Chamber of Commerce is today calling upon the Scottish Parliament’s Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee to amend the Draft Scottish Budget to ensure the continuation of the Air Route Development Fund (ARDF), which is set to be axed by the Scottish Government.


Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Bob Leitch (pictured above) said: “We are extremely disappointed at the Scottish Government’s plans to axe the Air Route Development Fund. This fund, administered in conjunction with Scottish Enterprise, has assisted in bringing dozens of new direct air services to Scotland’s airports, and has created jobs and wealth to the Scottish economy.

“Indeed a recent Scottish Enterprise survey found that the Ryanair’s Glasgow Prestwick Airport flights alone have helped generate £146 million and 2,537 jobs in Scotland.

“This is a magnificent return on an investment of just £14.4 million over the past three years, and is exactly the kind of project we need to continue if Scotland is to meet the economic growth targets set by the new Scottish Government.

“Scotland’s economy and geography demand quality air links to our key markets around the globe, and that is exactly what the Air Route Development Fund has delivered, linking Prestwick with 25 destinations across Europe.

“The first two years of a new air service are often make or break in terms of its long term sustainability, and that is why the year one subsidy provided by the ARDF has proved so vital.

“Of course there were issues with the previous ARDF scheme under EU law, but we believe that a similar scheme could be EU-compliant in terms of start-up aid, and we are calling on the Government to pursue this option.

“Few other Scottish Government initiatives deliver as much bang for the taxpayer’s buck as the Air Route Development Fund. It is time that the Government recognised this and built upon its success.”

Scottish Government

Scottish Enterprise

www.glasgowprestwick.com

www.ryanair.com

Boost for trade between Ayrshire in Scotland and Hungary

SOUTH Ayrshire Council’s headquarters was the venue for an extravaganza of specialist Hungarian produced food and wine products during a Hungarian trade seminar that was hosted by Provost Winifred Sloan.


[South Ayrshire Council Provost Winifred Sloan is pictured with the delegates at the seminar in the County Hall of the Council’s headquarters. Click on image to view full-size version.]

The Trade Commission of the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary, in association with Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, ITDH, the Hungarian Investment Trade Development Agency, The British-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce, the Hungarian Agricultural Marketing Centre (AMC) and South Ayrshire Council invited a range of business people to a Hungarian trade seminar.

Provost Sloan said: “With Ryanair’s recently launched flights direct from Glasgow Prestwick Airport to Budapest, business relationships can now be encouraged with our new Hungarian neighbours. The seminar was a showcase for the best food and wine from Hungary, and provided an opportunity for our local business people to establish connections. I am sure that the seminar will be the foundation stone of strong ties that business people from Ayrshire will build with Hungarians in the coming years.”

Several speakers addressed the seminar including: Provost Sloan; Tom Drysdale, Hon Consul for Hungary in Scotland; István Varga, Chairman British Chamber of Commerce Hungary; Péter Horváth, Hungarian Trade Commissioner in the UK; Dr Ray Noble, Research Consultant, Giltech Ltd, Ayr and Edit Szabo, Deputy CEO, AMC, Budapest.

The seminar was arranged to assist:

* companies seeking to access the Hungarian market and the markets of Eastern and South East Europe from a centre in Hungary;
* companies interested in importing Hungarian products, especially companies in the food and wine business, hotels, restaurants, wine merchants etc;
* companies interested in construction, ICT, life sciences and energy projects; and
* tourism-related businesses and tour operators.

www.glasgowprestwick.com

www.ryanair.com

Glasgow Prestwick Airport starts
Ryanair routes to Belfast and Budapest

AYRSHIRE'S Glasgow Prestwick Airport added two more capital cities to its route network this week as the inaugural flights to Belfast and Budapest lifted off.

Ryanair’s new daily service to Belfast started on Tuesday (October 30) and connects Glasgow Prestwick with George Best Belfast City Airport, which is only two miles from the city centre.


[Early birds: left to right, Sam and Tom Wyatt, both from Essex; Nancy Gallagher from Coatbridge; Michael Cavanagh and Elaine Thomson from Ayr; Roni Fitzpatrick from Kilwinning.]

The Northern Irish capital has prospered in recent years, a strong economy helping it to become one of Europe’s most popular short break and conference destinations. In 2006 the city welcomed nearly seven million visitors.

Arnold Dragsnes was among the passengers travelling on the inaugural flight. The 61-year-old, from Dumfries, visits Belfast often to see his son and grandson and was travelling with his daughter Suzanne, 28, from Cumbernauld.


[Picture shows: Arnold Dragsnes (left) and his daughter Suzanne (right) at check-in with Glasgow Prestwick Airport's Pamela Vicencio (centre)].

Arnold said: “I was glad when I heard Ryanair were starting flights from Prestwick. The fact it’s so much more handy plus the cost of the flights mean I will be able to get to Belfast a lot more often.”

The passengers travelling on the first scheduled flight out of Scotland to Budapest arrived to check in early this morning (Thursday November 1).


[Eary birds: Arthur Murphy and Sheila Pollock from Dumfries.]

The early signs are that Ryanair’s three times a week service to Hungary’s cultural capital will be a great success.

Made up of ‘Buda’ and ‘Pest’ which occupy opposite sides of the River Danube, the city welcomes more than 20 million visitors each year and is the third most popular destination in the world for a weekend break.

Kev Mcenaney and Rory Kerr, both 25 from Hamilton, were among the first passengers to check in. They were visiting Kev’s brother, who is currently working in Budapest.


[Picture shows: left to right, Rory Kerr, Kev Mcenaney and Glasgow Prestwick Airport's Anne Jakubowski.]

Kev said: “I’ve been over to Budapest before but had to fly from Manchester which was an absolute nightmare. This is much easier and cheaper.”

Glasgow Prestwick Airport chief executive Mark Rodwell said: “The introduction of these new flights to popular destinations shows there is clearly a market for increased services from Prestwick.

“Ryanair have once again shown that they are serious about developing the Scottish market and giving passengers the best choice of destinations at the best prices.

“We are confident that the direct services to Belfast and Budapest will appeal to business and leisure travellers alike, resulting in plenty of people travelling in both directions.

“As of January 2008, we will cover a total of 32 European destinations through scheduled flights, all operated by low cost airlines.”


[Celebrating the new routes, Linda McKechnie, Theresa Havan, Sandra McIntyre and Donna Caven – all of whom work at Scottish Enterprise in Glasgow – are flanked by Glasgow Prestwick Airport’s Gemma Rooney and Alan Murray.]

Fares on Ryanair’s new routes, including Kaunas which launched on Sunday October 28, can be had for as little as £10, including taxes and charges. These fares are available now from www.ryanair.com

December sees the return of Ryanair’s winter service to Grenoble, which provides winter sports enthusiasts with access to some of Europe’s best ski resorts, and a new daily service to Cork.

www.glasgowprestwick.com

Take-off for Ryanair route linking
Prestwick Airport and Kaunas

A SPECIAL lunch took place last week to promote and celebrate in advance the launch of Ryanair’s new service linking Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire, Scotland to Kaunas in Lithuania.


[Picture shows lunch guests Indre Trakimaite, director of the Lithuanian National Tourism Office, Vygaudas Uðackas, Lithuanian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Ryanair PRO Alan Clark and Bill Toner, Scotland’s Honorary Consul for Lithuania.]

The new service, which will operate on Sundays and Wednesdays, starts on Sunday 28 October.

Guests at the luncheon included Vygaudas Uðackas, Lithuanian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Indre Trakimaite, director of the Lithuanian National Tourism Office, and Bill Toner, Scotland’s Honorary Consul for Lithuania.

The group, which also included representatives from Prestwick Airport and Ryanair were treated to a series of presentations and anecdotal speeches about Kaunas and Lithuania, before sitting down to an authentic Lithuanian meal.

The Prestwick to Kaunas service is Scotland’s first to Lithuania, and flights are available for as little as £10 inclusive of taxes and charges.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport chief executive Mark Rodwell commented: “The Eastern European and Baltic markets are becoming increasingly important for us, and the success of our current services to Poland and Riga demonstrate that demand exists for these destinations.

“For the Scots and British, they are popular city break destinations, particularly as that type of trip becomes more popular among people here, while an increasing number of Europeans are visiting Scotland as tourists or to work here.

“Next week also sees the introduction of a new Ryanair service to Budapest, which will also be a first for Scotland, and a daily service to Belfast. It’s an exciting time for us at Glasgow Prestwick Airport with the introduction of these fantastic new services. Ryanair now serves more than 25 destinations from the Ayrshire airport, which is an impressive total, and many of these destinations are not served by any other Scottish airport.”

Links:

Kaunas Airport

www.glasgowprestwick.com

www.ryanair.com

www.lithuaniatourism.co.uk