PRESTWICK
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Irvine
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Why are some people so desperate for Prestwick to close? I happen to prefer using Prestwick to Glasgow but I certainly don't want Glasgow to close. Prestwick is here to stay. It has more going for it than some give it credit for.
james - would the fact that you live in Irvine have anything to do with your preference for Prestwick over Glasgow ?
I doubt anybody apart from BAA really wants Prestwick to close - at the very least Prestwick's existence means Glasgow management are aware of the potential for an airline to switch airports and while Ryanair are at PIK it means they don't do so much damage to viability of existing European leisure traffic at Glasgow.
I like Prestwick - simple to use and unlike Glasgow has a proper train service that offered (offers ?) half-price train tickets if you could prove you were flying in or out of Prestwick
However, with the relatively low levels of traffic and the fact that Glasgow is nearer the main population centre, it's not always easy to see a long term future for Prestwick.
I doubt anybody apart from BAA really wants Prestwick to close - at the very least Prestwick's existence means Glasgow management are aware of the potential for an airline to switch airports and while Ryanair are at PIK it means they don't do so much damage to viability of existing European leisure traffic at Glasgow.
I like Prestwick - simple to use and unlike Glasgow has a proper train service that offered (offers ?) half-price train tickets if you could prove you were flying in or out of Prestwick
However, with the relatively low levels of traffic and the fact that Glasgow is nearer the main population centre, it's not always easy to see a long term future for Prestwick.
Last edited by davidjohnson6; 13th Oct 2012 at 12:42.
Join Date: Nov 2003
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David, Prestwick is around 15 minutes drive while Glasgow is about 35 minutes, so there isn't that much difference. I've used Glasgow several times this year but the worst airports I've used have to be Heathrow (Terminal 5) in transit to Istanbul, and also Gatwick. After having had to queue to get on a train at Heathrow Terminal 5C to get to 5A, and having to get a bus from the plane to the terminal at Gatwick only for everyone to be told to wait at the wrong luggage carousel, catch the monorail to the South Terminal, queue to get on a lift to get to the train station and walk what seemed like miles, well maybe you'll understand why I'd rather use airports like Prestwick, Beauvais or Charleroi. At least at airports like Prestwick I can be in and out quickly. I know Prestwick Airport needs to be updated and there's not much in the way of shopping there but when I travel I'm not particularly interested in shops selling very expensive, over priced clothes, jewellry etc.
I know traffic at Prestwick has reduced considerably but I know airports that only have two passenger flights a day and seem to do ok. I'm sure the airport will survive and hopefully flourish under new ownership. To shut the airport down would mean unemployment for many people and that is something I wouldn't wish on anyone, having been unemployed myself in the 80s.
I know traffic at Prestwick has reduced considerably but I know airports that only have two passenger flights a day and seem to do ok. I'm sure the airport will survive and hopefully flourish under new ownership. To shut the airport down would mean unemployment for many people and that is something I wouldn't wish on anyone, having been unemployed myself in the 80s.
Join Date: Apr 2010
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"I know Prestwick Airport needs to be updated and there's not much in the way of shopping there"
Ye Gods!!
How did BAA ever let that happen??? It should have a mall as big as the Galleria in Houston
Ye Gods!!
How did BAA ever let that happen??? It should have a mall as big as the Galleria in Houston
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Possibly because BAA haven't owned Prestwick for the last 20 years.
Prestwick I understand is approximately 35 minutes drive from Glasgow, but with has a dedicated railway station..That's gotta be good for the airport.
Like james170969 - I think shopping is secondary and at most airports, down right expensive.
Join Date: Nov 2002
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The airport having it's own railway station certainly sounds good. In reality the station is in a state of disrepair , the lifts and escalator are often "out of order" and the airport trolleys aren't allowed out of the terminal , so if you load up in the arrivals hall your basically wasting your time !
Join Date: Nov 2010
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As an airfield PIK will survive. Cargo appears to have stabilised and may even grow; the number of military, private, tech and fuel stops appear to be increasing and aircraft maintenance side seems to be on the up also. The major challenge remains growing the PAX business beyond FR but if a new owner can come in and build a profitable business around the core and diverse aviation activities then there still will be a decent aviation centre at PIK. The railway station , whilst in need of repair, and it's trolley limitations is still a major asset. I gather funding has been put aside for the station and the recent news that the council has denied Infratil the opportunity to asset strip in the form of closing 21/03 is good news provided new owners make good use of it.
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Prestwick
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PIK will survive, If and when the current owners are bought out.
PIK was a low cost operation with all services in house and making direct profits, remember since 1992 until infratil had it the airport ran at a profit. Infratil failed to understand the low cost model with multi skilled staff and services such as the duty free, bars, shops in house and generating money. Staff were moved around to suit, ensuring costs were kept low.
By giving FR and other loco's good landing rates this generated more footfall spending money in the directly owned outlets, covering the costs of having low landing fees and making money etc etc. This then caused cross subsidy allowing lower operating costs, lower fees, increased trafic and freight. When this lot came in they changed it all trying to run the airport like wellington. This has failed but they still dont seem to get it. Buying Manston was foolish!
At the moment the organisation is shambolic and lacks direction. Landing fees are expensive for a secondary airport and there is no real leadership within the business to develop services.
Just my opinion, but it is an informed one.
PIK was a low cost operation with all services in house and making direct profits, remember since 1992 until infratil had it the airport ran at a profit. Infratil failed to understand the low cost model with multi skilled staff and services such as the duty free, bars, shops in house and generating money. Staff were moved around to suit, ensuring costs were kept low.
By giving FR and other loco's good landing rates this generated more footfall spending money in the directly owned outlets, covering the costs of having low landing fees and making money etc etc. This then caused cross subsidy allowing lower operating costs, lower fees, increased trafic and freight. When this lot came in they changed it all trying to run the airport like wellington. This has failed but they still dont seem to get it. Buying Manston was foolish!
At the moment the organisation is shambolic and lacks direction. Landing fees are expensive for a secondary airport and there is no real leadership within the business to develop services.
Just my opinion, but it is an informed one.
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Did you know that The Royal Aeronautical Society are holding an Aviation and Family Fun Day within the Airport?? It looks like its going to be a great day!! Have a look on Prestwick's site for more information
Aviation and Family Fun Day| Glasgow Prestwick Airport
Aviation and Family Fun Day| Glasgow Prestwick Airport
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Essex
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Has anything happened today at Prestwick?? Four flights are given the status "Delayed" with no time as to when they are delayed until. They are:
ARRIVALS
FR7645 13:30 Bydgoszcz
W61323 13:55 Warsaw-Modlin
FR7824 16:10 Barcelona-El Prat
DEPARTURES
W61324 14:25 Warsaw-Modlin
Of course the W6 departure is delayed because the inbound one can't get arrive in time. I'm curious as to why there are these delays and also why no outbound FR flights are affected.
ARRIVALS
FR7645 13:30 Bydgoszcz
W61323 13:55 Warsaw-Modlin
FR7824 16:10 Barcelona-El Prat
DEPARTURES
W61324 14:25 Warsaw-Modlin
Of course the W6 departure is delayed because the inbound one can't get arrive in time. I'm curious as to why there are these delays and also why no outbound FR flights are affected.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Prestwick
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Don't know about Barcelona but the Polish flights were affected by severe fog in Poland this morning. Both flights have now arrived - Ryanair from Gdansk after a diversion but waited for the pax to come from the original destination the name of which I can't spell!
Join Date: Jul 2010
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Noticed quite a few ryanair planes parked up today (near spirit hangar), these stored for winter? also noticed another airline parked in the same area, blue markings, looked like 737
Join Date: Apr 2008
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The aircraft on the north side are all Mr O'Leary's, parking for the winter and expecting a few more too.
Anywhere but ABZ: Nope and none likely in the near future. Doubt the company would replace anyone who was to leave, either, money's just too tight at the mo.
Anywhere but ABZ: Nope and none likely in the near future. Doubt the company would replace anyone who was to leave, either, money's just too tight at the mo.
Join Date: Nov 2003
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No sign of Prestwick sale
BBC News - No sign of Prestwick airport sale
Infratil said that it would "continue to seek a buyer for the airports and work with local stakeholders to review alternatives"
I wonder what they mean by "alternatives".
Infratil said that it would "continue to seek a buyer for the airports and work with local stakeholders to review alternatives"
I wonder what they mean by "alternatives".
Last edited by james170969; 13th Nov 2012 at 21:58.
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Prestwick to close?
BBC News - No sign of Prestwick airport sale
Writing is on the wall...sad times though it is a rather depressing experience flying from here.
Writing is on the wall...sad times though it is a rather depressing experience flying from here.
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Very sadly, I do sort of see Flyga's point. I have never flown from Prestwick and have only visisted it once so perhaps I'm not one to judge but it did seems a little shoddy and anybody who does buy it is going to need to invest a lot more in improving it for it to have some form on long-term and sustainable future. Alternatively, you may choose to not upgrade it and just make landing fees virtually nothing and hope that basically Ryanair, Wizzair and perhaps the odd charter see the value of it in that way and increase their presence there!