PRESTWICK Airport has bid with partners to become Scotland’s Heathrow Logistics Hub.

Last week, a delegation from Heathrow Airport was welcomed at Prestwick Airport to meet with senior airport representatives and multi-agency partners to showcase the strengths and ‘rich’ potential the site has to offer to come Scotland’s hub.

If given the green light, the location will pioneer off-site manufacturing, with the likelihood of creating “up to 16,000 new jobs” and “up to £17 billion in economic growth” that the Heathrow expansion is predicted to bring to Scotland.

Stewart Adams, Prestwick Airport’s Chief Executive, explained: “Our proposition involves the airport as well as key neighbouring assets including the Port of Ayr, Falkland Rail Freight Yard and Newton Shore.

“We have been working collaboratively to develop a comprehensive offering that brings together a number of private and public-sector partners and investors to showcase a multi-modal logistics hub proposition to support the future development of Heathrow. 

“We believe it is the best combined air, rail, road and sea freight solution in Scotland. Along with the airport’s niche specialisms, wide-ranging expertise and proven track record, we’re confident that the region has all the key ingredients required to deliver expansion at Heathrow on time and on budget.”

Stuart Cresswell, ABP’s Port Manager at Ayr, added: “The integrated air, sea, road and rail links that can be offered by the Prestwick Ayr hub is truly unique and with much of the primary infrastructure already in place, it is a highly competitive proposition with excellent connectivity.”

Eileen Howat, Chief Executive of South Ayrshire Council, said: “We firmly believe the South Ayrshire bid to become Scotland’s Heathrow Logistics Hub site is the best option for Scotland and the UK.”