There have been reports that the Scottish Budget looks very difficult over the next few years. Perhaps they've decided that they can't sustain the losses.

Yup, save on security, immigration, feeding & watering passengers, baggage handling, car parking...................

That way the Govt can claim they "saved" the airport whilst cutting costs dramatically.

As for "Scottish Govt is effectively saying PIK is not a strategic asset" - I think passengers, airlines and everyone but the unions have said it's not been any sort of an asset for years - ever since GLA expanded

This is the most sensible solution. In such a scenario, AGS would be a willing, committed investor in an alternative re-purposing of the airport, rather than a half-hearted or misguided attempt by another party to compete with GLA. Operating the two airports as part of a west of Scotland 'airport system' (as the Americans do), with strong public-sector support and a vision to develop the non-pax traffic and related MRO, Aerospace, R&D, Training etc would safeguard the existing high-value jobs and replace the lower-value jobs with new higher-value jobs in a more sustainable industry cluster (think Shannon IASC). There could also be ancillary benefits arising from co-operating assets (two runways) in relatively close proximity and with emerging technologies (remote towers etc) there may also be some efficiencies.

A re-positioned airport, with a serious approach to investment in the 'business' element and property asset, has significant value in itself, which would be augmented by a strengthened pax value proposition at GLA (through a reduction in regional runway capacity for pax).

A win - win for AGS and the Scottish economy??

Essentially indirectly bidding for the lone remaining FR aircraft at this point IMO. Those half a mil passengers especially for GLA aren't to be sniffed at.

The Scotsman today reporting that multiple offers have been received for the airport.
https://www.scotsman.com/news/transp...-1-4966061/amp

GIP, AGS and multiple property developers, IMO.

Still saying it 'll be sold before year-end...........

I do feel that if (big if) someone is planning on purchasing the airport with a view to continuing passenger ops then they either have a very large pit of money or an airline lined up and the Scottish government know this, have made their decision and this is all formalities.

I can see no way towards profitability on passenger ops, none whatsoever.
If GLA is struggling somewhat, and it is, there is no route towards PIK making money in that space.
Cut costs, demolish the terminal, flog off the land and reinvest in core non passenger services. You could literally sell apron A and B for housing and plant trees. It's not beyond the wit of man to move the cargo sheds.

That may well be exactly what those who've made offers want to do.

Just cause they've had a number of offers probably doesn't mean there are a number of organisations offering to run the airport as a full pax airport. Afaik they've had a number of offers over the last few years but they didn't accept them - I'm guessing in many cases cause they didn't preserve the pax ops (or maybe any aviation ops at all).

If they're going to to sell then maybe someone has offered to keep the pax side of things going, but how they'll be profitable I don't know.

Given the battle that went on re the GLA, EDI and the BAA breakup I'm not sure how AGS or GIP could buy the airport with no competition issue being raised? If BAA weren't allowed to own 2 central belt airports in GLA and EDI, why would either of those be allowed to own PIK plus another?

It's possible that there may be a role to play for passenger operations at PIK in future. Edinburgh is approaching capacity, Glasgow isnt far off too, if it can return to growth. Once they reach capacity they will stop offering cut price deals to get airlines in the door, and may even start to jack up the prices to help pay for any expansion. This will lead to an opportunity for PIK to offer cheap deals to low cost airlines like Ryanair and Wizz, possibly some of the charter operators too. flybe also hinted that they may operate a PIK-LHR flight if the 3rd runway there was approved.

Another possibility might be the island PSO flights. If Glasgow starts to reach capacity, it may be in their interest to kick out the Loganair island flights, to free up capacity for larger aircraft. These could be a perfect candidate to relocate to PIK.

There are a few possibilities, however, its a big gamble keeping things running at a loss in the hope that something turns up in future.

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EDI and GLA have previously announced plans for expansion that among other things included second runways. If they have dropped these then they have failed their promises when they were sold these national assets. Fragmenting flights to a third airport is the last thing passengers need.
If things are as you say it is the holiday flights that should be kicked out and sent to Prestwick, but not at cheap prices.

I suspect the area where the terminal is could be prime real estate for housing if the airport railway station could be transferred for ScotRail to manage and they keep it operating. There are few new housing developments that have a railway station within walking distance. The airport car park that is just south of the railway station would make a fantastic 'park and ride' facility for those wishing to park their car and use the train. A commuters dream perhaps!

Gatwick has a lot more ground space than EDI. Edinburgh could have a lot more runway movements at the moment, but then there would be no stands where to put them.

Still, I agree. GLA is nowhere near capacity. If anything, they could do with a boost. And EDI stands are full first thing in the morning and last thing at night but lots of spare capacity in between.

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