Prestwick Aviation Services prepares for surge during British Open

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By Sky Industry News

Jul 1, 2024

Prestwick, Scotland, renowned for its golf heritage, is preparing to host the British Open Championship at Royal Troon this month. The event is expected to bring increased private aviation traffic to Glasgow Prestwick Airport (EGPK), managed by Prestwick Aviation Services.

Kris Baillie, business development manager for general aviation and military at the airport, highlighted golf's significant impact on their operations. “Golf is a very important driver for business at Prestwick,” he said. He estimated that private aviation constitutes about 30% of the facility's traffic.

Prestwick has historical significance in military aviation dating back to World War II when a U.S. B-25 bomber was diverted there due to weather conditions. This led to the establishment of the U.S. Army Air Corps Trans-Atlantic Ferry Command on-site.

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Baillie noted, “Prestwick has a reputation of being the only fog-free airport in the UK,” which makes it a preferred destination for customers seeking reliable weather conditions. European airframers like Pilatus and Daher use it as a tech stop for North American deliveries.

The FBO operates around the clock with a staff of 27. Baillie explained their customer service approach: “If a customer calls in the middle of the night, they will get an answer straight away.” Since taking over management in 2014, after existing leases expired, Prestwick Aviation Services has focused on servicing both commercial carriers and private aviation infrastructure.

Their terminal features passenger and crew lounges, shower facilities, and more. Plans are underway to expand this terminal by 2025 near apron Golf—a ramp capable of handling large aircraft.

As one of two fuel providers at Prestwick Airport, they manage significant jet fuel volumes annually. Recently, demand spiked with visits from WWII-vintage Douglas C-47s headed for D-Day ceremonies.

With its location along the Great Circle route between North America and the Middle East, Baillie emphasized efficiency: “When you look at the figures, customers can save on fuel burn; they can save on time in the air as well.”

Currently lacking transient hangar space, Baillie mentioned plans to address this by installing pre-fabricated hangars soon: “We get inquiries from aircraft as far south as London that are parking for three or four days.”