PROTESTERS are set to stage a demonstration at Glasgow Prestwick Airport to demand an end to the US military using the site as part of its attacks in the Middle East.
The Stop the War Coalition will join the Ayrshire Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Ayrshire Global Justice on Sunday to oppose the use of publicly-owned airports as a springboard for US aggression.
US military aircraft departed Glasgow Prestwick Airport at least 32 times in the 10 days before February 28, when the United States and Israel launched major strikes on Iran.
According to the Iranian Red Crescent, 67,414 civilian sites have since been hit, of which 498 are schools and 236 are health facilities. More than 1400 people have been killed.
READ MORE: Man and woman arrested after attempting to enter Faslane naval base
In the 10 months before February 2026, US military flights landed at Prestwick Airport 550 times, with traffic peaking during times of conflict.
The protest will take place after First Minister John Swinney said his government is not legally able to block US planes from using Prestwick.
Swinney said this despite the Israeli Air Force’s use of the airport being cut following public pressure in March 2024.
Swinney said he had looked "very closely" at the issue, as people in Scotland have "enormous concern and unease" around the conflict, referencing the war's consequences for energy prices, the cost of living, mortgages, as well as the environmental impact.
But he continued: "If I was to prevent flights from entering Scotland by by the appropriate steps that would be necessary, I would need to exercise national security, aviation, air transport, defence and foreign affairs powers.
"These are all reserved to the United Kingdom Government."
Sophie Johnson, secretary of the Stop The War Coalition (Scotland), said: "People in Scotland are horrified that the United States has been allowed to use Prestwick Airport to carry out a war of aggression on Iran that everyone knows is illegal.
"Two years ago, Israeli military flights were banned from using Prestwick Airport. John Swinney must stop pretending he has no power in this matter.
READ MORE: Scottish Reform UK candidate backed far-right activist Tommy Robinson
"Scots have not permitted our civilian infrastructure to be used for the United States to carry out this illegal war or any other. We want the US Air Force out of our airports.
"The Scottish Government must take action to enforce a ban immediately."
It is not the first time that the anti-war movement has challenged Scotland’s complicity in the commission of breaches of international law. During the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 2006, the Stop The War Coalition organised a protest at Prestwick airport, which led to the diversion of two US flights to Israel carrying military material.
Arthur West, of Ayrshire CND, added: “Sunday’s protest is really important as the volume of US military flights touching down at Prestwick Airport is absolutely staggering. The protest will send a clear message that people across the country do not wish Scottish airports to be complicit in supporting the reckless actions of the Trump administration.”
Share