Prestwick posts new cargo peak

GLASGOW Prestwick Airport’s performance in March signalled a strong end to the 2007/08 financial year.

The airport handled 192,142 passengers in March against 180,978 during the same month in 2007 – a year-on-year rise of six per cent, and a 16 per cent improvement on February’s performance.

Chief executive Mark Rodwell, said the results once again demonstrated the importance of the airport to the economy, particularly in terms of tourism and employment.

It is only weeks since Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond attended the launch of an economic study which found that inbound visitors using Glasgow Prestwick generate £173 million of expenditure, while the airport’s presence accounts for 3,000 jobs in Scotland.

Rodwell, said: “It is pleasing to see growth in the passenger sector, particularly after we discovered how important foreign visitors are to the Ayrshire and Scottish economies.

“Several new services have been introduced over the last 12 months and are performing well, which is encouraging as we move towards the peak summer season.”

A strong focus on developing the freight business is also starting to pay off, with the airport now breaking the 3,000 tonne barrier on a more regular basis.

The March total of 3,260 tonnes marks a five per cent improvement on March 2007 and a 34 per cent increase on February’s total.

Freight has also increased year-on-year with the 31,735 tonnes handled between April 2007 and March 2008 representing a four per cent increase on the previous 12 months.