GLASGOW AIRPORT NEWS - 16/11/2009

Glasgow Prestwick airport optimistic despite downturn

By James Wilson.

Bosses at Glasgow Prestwick Airport remain positive despite a fall in the number of passengers using the facility.

The airport served 152,000 passengers in October this year, a 28 per cent drop on October 2008 figures.

Graeme Sweenie, chief commercial officer, said that 2009 had been "a challenging year" for the airport.

"Our strategy of being Scotland’s year-round gateway to sun, sea and sangria is working well for us, and hurting our competitors," Mr Sweenie commented.

He added that new routes from Glasgow Prestwick are "a huge vote of confidence" from low-cost carrier Ryanair.

Ryanair added new services to Alicante, Arrecife, Palma, Gran Canaria and Las Palmas last month.

New Zealand company and airport owner Infratil commented that the fall is typical of most airports during the downturn.

In other news, the airport witnessed a display from an Airbus A380, the largest commercial airliner in the world, in September.

The event was the aircraft model's first appearance in Scotland, the airport reports.

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