I like the new look, although I think the problem with PIK is more deep rooted than its logo. Sadly the airport is in the wrong place for the majority of travelers.

His idea of harking back to proud roots is a good one but he accidentally nails the underlying problem here. In a free market against GLA and EDI, there is no space for PIK. Everyone involved thinks about bringing back the glory days, something that is literally not possible in the free market.
The rebranding is good, they need a credible business plan to take to market and there is no sign of that. Indeed with Labour trying to avoid extinction, they'll no doubt promise to keep PIK open regardless, all for votes. The SNP won't lose face by closing it and no likely private sector operator could make it work. It's George Younger all over again, politics first.

If someone thinks that ‘rebranding’ is the answer, I’m not sure they understand what the question is……..

What no one seems to have noticed is that both Glasgow and Edinburgh are almost full. Today Edinburgh is permitting executive jets arriving for the Scotland - France Rugby only to unload passengers and then go somewhere else because they do not have space for them. There is a NOTAM out to that effect. With passenger traffic continuing to grow it must be highly likely that the lower costs at Prestwick will attract either some new business or some diversion of business from EDI or GLA. Ryanair is a case in point - they would appear to attract passengers from across central Scotland irrespective of which airport they use.

Well no, GLA and EDI will expand to serve their existing and growing markets.

pikman:Yeah but Edinburgh has been deterring exec jets for years because they don't generate enough income. They deliberately give them just a tiny remote parking space in order to try to force them elsewhere - but still they come, cos it's the f***in capital o' Scotland. Edinburgh's core commercial air transport traffic continues to increase and there's still plenty room for that, so no opportunities for Prestwick there I'm afraid.

I read that Newquay is leading the race to become the UK "space port"

Was that in a Newquay Airport press release by any chance? Papers I read said the new approach could involve licensing several locations, all of which might support space ops.

But in reality it's probably a further step into the long grass given the singular absence of a business case for any of this stuff.

The next set of accounts must be due in the near future?

Beam me up Scotty!
 

Green light for Prestwick spaceport plans as UK Government opts for licensing system

as reported today in The National

Has anyone outside the taxpayer committed one penny to having Prestwick Airport as a spaceport?

Just shows how much the useless Philippa Whitford knows about her own constituency the ATC centre is most certainly not at Prestwick Airport and I don't really understand why she thinks it matters.

Prestwick Airport is easier to get to from central Glasgow by rail than Paisley airport is.

Central Glasgow to Glasgow Airport is well served by a 24hr, frequent bus service that takes 15mins. Decent fares and wifi. How does that make Prestwick quicker from central Glasgow? Even train to Gilmour street, Paisley and then bus it only takes less than 30min.

S1E. The answer to your question is YES. I will not be explaining.


GPG. I have explained, complained, about the bus service from GLA to Gilmour Street. 20 minutes through a housing scheme and over umpteen speed bumps. Where is the non stop, direct, well signposted, every 10 minute bus service ?

PIK3141 , the 757 service is every 15 mins and journey time is 12 mins. That's about the same length of time it would take someone over the age of 65 to humph a suitcase up the stairs at PIK Airport station , assuming that the lift is , as usual , out of service !

Was working perfectly fine when I used it yesterday - the lift that is not the 757. Now can we get back to sensible mature discussion rather than pathetic childish bickering?

@PIK3141 that's incredible, I'm sorry but you might just as well shout FACT at the end of your sentences going forward. So someone commercial has sunk some of their own hard earned money into making PIK a spaceport but to make the case for PIK to beat, wait for it, NQY, it needs to be a big secret? Come on man, explain or retract.

I would like to know what exactly HMG means by a "spaceport". Is there a definition anywhere? You wouldn't build a site aimed at frequent space launches underneath busy airways, would you? I personally think this concept ranks as the biggest load of nonsense to be spouted by the current government, and that's saying something.

GLA and EDI are nowhere near full. Yes airbridge gates are limited early mornings but not 'full'

GLA will eventually absorb what is left of PIK.

Absolute clutching at straws from the Scottish Government with commercial aviation and this place.