This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-27897006

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Prestwick airport: Nicola Sturgeon to outline future plan Prestwick airport: Nicola Sturgeon to outline future plan
(35 minutes later)
Plans for the future of Prestwick Airport are due to be outlined later. Local politicians believe Prestwick Airport can be a success as the Scottish government is poised to announce plans for its future.
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to appear before Holyrood's infrastructure committee. Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to reveal a long-term vision for the airport to Holyrood's infrastructure committee later.
The Scottish government bought the airport for £1 last year, from owner Infratil, amid fears it could be forced to close due to heavy losses. The Scottish government bought the struggling airport for £1 last year.
Infrastructure Secretary Ms Sturgeon is expected to give MSPs details of the government's long-term vision for the airport. Local MP Brian Donohoe and campaigner George Kerevan told BBC Scotland it could be improved in public hands.
There are 3,200 jobs directly or indirectly associated with the airport and it is estimated to be worth £60m to the Scottish economy. It was bought from New Zealand airport operator Infratil amid fears it could be forced to close due to heavy losses.
But the Scottish government hopes it can revive the fortunes of an airport that supports 3,200 jobs and is estimated to be worth £60m to the Scottish economy.
'Major facility'
George Kerevan, of the Prestwick World Festival of Flight, which will re-launch the air show at the facility in September, said: "Prestwick is actually a very viable airport.
"It is very well connected in terms of rail transport, it is very well connected in terms of its size - it can take huge jumbos.
Analysis: David Miller, BBC Scotland transport correspondentAnalysis: David Miller, BBC Scotland transport correspondent
Prestwick airport's main runway is one of the longest in the UK, it has its own railway station and is less than an hour from Glasgow.Prestwick airport's main runway is one of the longest in the UK, it has its own railway station and is less than an hour from Glasgow.
But falling passenger numbers and a decline in freight operations led its previous owners to put the airport up for sale.But falling passenger numbers and a decline in freight operations led its previous owners to put the airport up for sale.
They failed to find a buyer - closure loomed - and the Scottish government stepped in, with the aim of protecting the Ayrshire economy and safeguarding jobs.They failed to find a buyer - closure loomed - and the Scottish government stepped in, with the aim of protecting the Ayrshire economy and safeguarding jobs.
A business case has been drawn up and millions of pounds have been earmarked for investment.A business case has been drawn up and millions of pounds have been earmarked for investment.
Today, Nicola Sturgeon will outline her vision for Prestwick's future.Today, Nicola Sturgeon will outline her vision for Prestwick's future.
Bosses at Glasgow and Edinburgh airports will be listening closely - they're unhappy at being forced to compete with a publicly-funded rival.Bosses at Glasgow and Edinburgh airports will be listening closely - they're unhappy at being forced to compete with a publicly-funded rival.
A spokesman for Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce said: "Prestwick Airport is not only an asset to Ayrshire but to Scotland being unique with its own railway station and runway length together with its coastal location making closure unlikely due to adverse weather conditions "One of the problems Prestwick has had is that the previous owners, far from being effective or efficient, they ran the place down.
"With some imaginative and innovative planning the airport can make a contribution to the Scottish economy building on the centre of excellence for aerospace training at Ayrshire College, the Enterprise Area and the vast engineering experience in this sector on its doorstep." "Infratil had invested in a whole range of airports across Europe and they decided to concentrate on some rather than others
"They did not spend enough, particularly in marketing it, and I want to see a lot of marketing money.
"It is a major facility. It is not just a facility for passenger traffic - it could be a major base for freight across the North Atlantic and it's an industrial hub."
Pilot training
Mr Donohoe, the Labour MP for Central Ayrshire, played down concerns that government help would be unfair to rival airports in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
"Glasgow got subsidy to introduce Jet 2 and Edinburgh got subsidy because of the tram line," he said. "Dundee has had subsidy.
"It makes sense for the public sector to have it under its control for an interim period of time given that it does add quite significantly to the whole economy of Ayrshire and wider afield."
Mr Donohoe was hopeful that the Scottish government would include plans to improve connections between Prestwick and London airports, increase air freight, make the airport the primary destination for diverted flights from other UK airports and build on its reputation for pilot training.
A spokesman for Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce said: "Prestwick Airport is not only an asset to Ayrshire but to Scotland, being unique with its own railway station and runway length together with its coastal location making closure unlikely due to adverse weather conditions.
"With some imaginative and innovative planning, the airport can make a contribution to the Scottish economy building on the centre of excellence for aerospace training at Ayrshire College, the Enterprise Area and the vast engineering experience in this sector on its doorstep."