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Glasgow Prestwick Airport to be taken into public ownership | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Glasgow Prestwick Airport is being taken into public ownership, the Scottish government has announced. | |
The step was confirmed in a statement by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in the Scottish Parliament. | |
Brian Donohoe, Labour MP for Central Ayrshire, welcomed the move. | |
The airport, which was put up for sale last March by New Zealand-based owners Infratil, has been running annual losses of £2m. | |
'Major money' | 'Major money' |
Mr Donohoe said: "This is a development which I welcome and we need now to ensure concentration is steered towards new routes and new airlines coming into the airport. | Mr Donohoe said: "This is a development which I welcome and we need now to ensure concentration is steered towards new routes and new airlines coming into the airport. |
"Major money is required to develop the airport which is why I have always said it should be given for a penny to a developer willing to spend the cash. | "Major money is required to develop the airport which is why I have always said it should be given for a penny to a developer willing to spend the cash. |
"I hope the Scottish government did not pay much more than that." | "I hope the Scottish government did not pay much more than that." |
Speaking to BBC Scotland, he said the airport had been "moribund" for about 10 years. | Speaking to BBC Scotland, he said the airport had been "moribund" for about 10 years. |
"The actual income against the expenditure hasn't matched," he said. | "The actual income against the expenditure hasn't matched," he said. |
Mr Donohoe added that, as a result, the airport's owner had not made "the necessary investment". | Mr Donohoe added that, as a result, the airport's owner had not made "the necessary investment". |