A FRESH bid is being launched to return Glasgow Prestwick Airport to the private sector.
A notice inviting expressions of interest in the business will be placed in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The Scottish Government took the Ayrshire airport into public ownership in November 2013. It had been put up for sale by New Zealand owners Infratil.
A potential buyer pulled out of a deal last month.
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: “We believe there is still interest in Glasgow Prestwick Airport, so we are formally putting the business back on the market.
“Despite the recent setback in the previous sale process, the airport’s senior management team has continued to engage with potential buyers and a notice will shortly be placed in the Official Journal of the European Union inviting expressions of interest.
“This allows interested parties to submit formal proposals and may encourage new interest as well.
“Any proposals would be considered carefully before any decision was taken to divest our shareholding in the airport or any part of the business.
“Glasgow Prestwick Airport continues to develop as a specialist airport, carving a niche in a very competitive market. The recent financial results – showing an increase revenue and reduction in operating losses – are encouraging and underline the significant efforts of the Prestwick team.
“This is an incredibly challenging time for the aviation industry, but we remain confident Glasgow Prestwick Airport has a role to play in Scotland’s aviation sector. As we have done throughout this process, we will update Parliament at the appropriate times.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel