http://www.facebook.com/prestwicktravelagent/info
It's worth reading in full, I remember those days well. Not sure if APD is a red herring and suspect independence certainly is but worth a look. It's rather assuming politicians will come to their aid, however it's the fact that the owners are unable to turn a profit in a commercial environment that's killing 'em.
Mission
Make Prestwick (Burns Int'l) the best airport in Scotland
Description
When PIK first became independent in 1992 under ACAP the airport was profitable on 6 weekly cargo flights and a summer charter to Jersey operated by Manx. The inflated multi level operating system for PIK now means that costs are much higher than they need to be, loss of revenue and profits from in house operations, eg Bars and Food Outlets, Duty Free etc etc. PIK also used to have their own opera
tor, that was a marketing vehicle for the services from the airport. This encouraged airlines and operators, especially the independents that the airport needs. All these made profits but have been stripped back or outsourced.
For example – Until circa the time Infratil bought the airport, the engineering department had numerous multi skilled employees, fully trained in a variety of job roles, eg electrician, maintenance, water quality testers etc all withing one well run compact department. This now is spread through various out source companies costing more, reducing standards etc.
The same applied to the check in staff, who worked check in , retail, bars, and boarding. Making best use of staff levels, lowering costs and keeping the buzz about the airport. Now that it is outsourced there are many more staff than needed, duplicating jobs and loss of profits from the retail and other outlets.
The airport has the passenger throughput, cargo flights and facilities to be profitable as it stands just now, with an urgent change is running style and management required. For example, the airport has a full size function suite, that is never advertised strongly - think of the business loss here!
We realise that APD is causing a lot of the downturn, however this is not effecting growth at EDI or other low cost operations like Liverpool. When there used to be several tour operators using the airport, most based the prices in their brochures as from Prestwick, with supplements from others eg Manchester, Gatwick. APD is only part of the story, increased landing, handling, fuel (due to being outsourced with no competition at the airport) have all had a drastic effect at PIK. Until we get independence (or APD devolved as it should be) these other things could be changed and would bring the airport back into growth and profit.
Notwithstanding reports due out soon, if there was some way of bringing PIK into even temporary public ownership to overhaul the operation – re brand - and streamline the working practices to bring about growth and profits this could lead to a future sell off – worth more than the current pittance value.