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Prestwick Airport: Nicola Sturgeon outlines nearly £10m of new investment Prestwick Airport: Nicola Sturgeon outlines nearly £10m of new investment
(about 2 hours later)
Prestwick Airport is to receive nearly £10m of investment from the Scottish government, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.Prestwick Airport is to receive nearly £10m of investment from the Scottish government, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
The funding will go towards operating costs, a repairs backlog and to make improvements to the terminal building.The funding will go towards operating costs, a repairs backlog and to make improvements to the terminal building.
Ms Sturgeon rejected calls to rename it Robert Burns Airport, saying this could cause confusion.Ms Sturgeon rejected calls to rename it Robert Burns Airport, saying this could cause confusion.
The Scottish government bought the struggling airport for £1 last year. Labour accused of her of "keeping taxpayers in the dark" over how the money would be spent.
The Scottish government bought the struggling airport for £1 last year amid fears it would be forced to close.
Ms Sturgeon told Holyrood's infrastructure committee the airport would be operated under public ownership "on a commercial basis".Ms Sturgeon told Holyrood's infrastructure committee the airport would be operated under public ownership "on a commercial basis".
She said the Scottish government investment would be made "in the form of loan funding".She said the Scottish government investment would be made "in the form of loan funding".
She added that there was "no quick fix solution for Prestwick" and the airport may not be profitable for several years.She added that there was "no quick fix solution for Prestwick" and the airport may not be profitable for several years.
The airport had a pre-tax loss of £9.77m in its final full year under previous owners Infratil.The airport had a pre-tax loss of £9.77m in its final full year under previous owners Infratil.
Ms Sturgeon is also the Scottish government's infrastructure, investment and cities secretary.Ms Sturgeon is also the Scottish government's infrastructure, investment and cities secretary.
She said the airport would operate as a public corporation on a commercial basis" at arms' length from government.She said the airport would operate as a public corporation on a commercial basis" at arms' length from government.
She added that £5.5m had been provided already since acquisition. and the Scottish government would be required "to provide a further £3m in operating support".She added that £5.5m had been provided already since acquisition. and the Scottish government would be required "to provide a further £3m in operating support".
There will be nearly £7m in capital investment - £4.5m for repairs and £2.4m to make improvements to the terminal building, including refurbishment of the duty free area.There will be nearly £7m in capital investment - £4.5m for repairs and £2.4m to make improvements to the terminal building, including refurbishment of the duty free area.
Lack of investmentLack of investment
Ms Sturgeon argued that Prestwick had suffered from a lack of investment and there was a "backlog of essential maintenance".Ms Sturgeon argued that Prestwick had suffered from a lack of investment and there was a "backlog of essential maintenance".
The committee evidence session came after finance executive Romain Py completed a three month review of the airport, including options for ownership, on behalf of the Scottish government.The committee evidence session came after finance executive Romain Py completed a three month review of the airport, including options for ownership, on behalf of the Scottish government.
Ms Sturgeon described Prestwick as a "non-typical airport", with only about half of its revenue dependant on passenger traffic.Ms Sturgeon described Prestwick as a "non-typical airport", with only about half of its revenue dependant on passenger traffic.
She suggested that future revenue could come from freight and retail development.She suggested that future revenue could come from freight and retail development.
The airport's executive directors would be tasked with developing commercial opportunities.The airport's executive directors would be tasked with developing commercial opportunities.
A business plan would include an assessment of a reduced Ryanair schedule for summer 2014 and passenger numbers will be monitored.A business plan would include an assessment of a reduced Ryanair schedule for summer 2014 and passenger numbers will be monitored.
Ms Sturgeon ruled out renaming the airport after Robert Burns. A petition lodged with the Scottish Parliament by The Robert Burns World Federation earlier this year had called for a name change, with supporters arguing it would boost tourism.Ms Sturgeon ruled out renaming the airport after Robert Burns. A petition lodged with the Scottish Parliament by The Robert Burns World Federation earlier this year had called for a name change, with supporters arguing it would boost tourism.
The deputy first minister told the committee: "On balance I have concluded there are strong commercial reasons for retaining the Glasgow Prestwick airport name."The deputy first minister told the committee: "On balance I have concluded there are strong commercial reasons for retaining the Glasgow Prestwick airport name."
She acknowledged the decision would disappoint some local people but the airport had to be marketed internationally.She acknowledged the decision would disappoint some local people but the airport had to be marketed internationally.
She did not rule out a "Burns-related theme" for the airport.She did not rule out a "Burns-related theme" for the airport.
'Business case'
Scottish Labour's infrastructure spokesman, James Kelly, said: "Nicola Sturgeon had the opportunity today to set out the Scottish government's plans for Prestwick Airport, unfortunately she has failed to do so in any detail, and Scottish tax-payers remain in the dark.
"Last year Prestwick Airport was losing nearly £1 million a month.
"It is a nonsense that it will be close to a year since the Scottish government bought the site before a credible plan is put to the people of Scotland, especially when the Scottish government has blocked the publication of analysis they commissioned on the airport.
"Key information is available now, but it is being denied to the Scottish public."
He added: "Nicola Sturgeon should make a statement before parliament on Prestwick, and publish the business case so that taxpayers can see how £15m of public money is being invested and when the airport will return to profitability."