Please find below a brief history of Prestwick Airport which we hope that you will find useful. If you wish to make a booking then please click on the appropriate link on your left. Alternatively you can call our office, where one of our helpful staff will only be happy to help.
It is thought that Glasgow Prestwick airport dates back to around 1934 with a few small planes using 'the Meadows' at the end of Monkton Village. However, historians have now discovered evidence that aircraft were on or near the site around 1913, just 10 years after the Wright Brothers first took to the air.
As WWII intervened, the site developed in to a major airport particularly for the delivery of American aircraft. On some days up to 300 aircraft arrived for onward delivery!
Training gave way to aircraft production by Scottish Aviation Ltd. Many famous aircraft types were built at Prestwick until production of the BAe Jetstream ceased in 1998.
In 1958 the Government announced plans for a new terminal building, freight building, runway extension, control tower and loop road around the airport. The latter was necessary because the main road out of Prestwick towards Monkton passed across the runway! In 1964, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, officially opened the present terminal building.
Glasgow Prestwick International Airport is synonymous with the history of Scottish Aviation. Many remember the airport for Elvis' visit in 1960 or as the transatlantic gateway during the 1960's to 1980's.
The foresight of the architects and planners in designing a facility in 1964 that's capable of handling 3 million passengers a year now looks certain to be justified.