Prestwick Airports Performance Improves
Glasgow Prestwick Airport’s performance during March signalled a strong end to the 2006/07 financial year.
The airport handled 180,978 passengers in March against 169,232 during the same month in 2006 - a year on year rise of 7%, and an 18% improvement on February’s total.
The majority of Glasgow Prestwick’s scheduled destinations showed a year on year improvement in load factors, with southern European routes performing particularly well.
Chief Executive Mark Rodwell said the figures demonstrate that a strong airport is vital for a strong Ayrshire economy, especially in light of a recent study which put Glasgow Prestwick’s worth to the county at more than £30 million in terms of visitor spend alone.
He commented: “It is pleasing to see growth in both the passenger and freight sectors, and we are confident that the busy summer season will be great for both the airport and the surrounding area.”
Freight continues to show encouraging signs with 3,092 tonnes handled at Glasgow Prestwick in March – the strongest monthly performance since October 2005 and only the fourth time in three years that the airport has broken the 3,000 tonne barrier.
The March total is up 35% on the 2,287 tonnes handled in March 2006, and a similar increase on February’s total.
A strong finish to the last financial year brings the annual freight total in at 30,513 tonnes, an 8% rise on the year to March 2006. .