Prestwick Airport: Delayed sale must be probed, says Tory MSP
dailyrecord.co.ukThe delayed sale of Prestwick Airport should be subject to a public review, according to one MSP. Tory Brian Whittle says the long running saga to get the flight hub back into the private sector now requires answers.It follows the news that the Scottish Government, who bought the airport for £1 in 2013, have abandoned current attempts to sell.Around £42 million of taxpayers' cash has been ploughed into the base during the intervening years — £33 million of which has already been written off.And Holyrood chiefs have confirmed they will not proceed with a proposed sale after reviewing latest bids on the table.It comes with Prestwick returning to profitable status after shifting its activities away from passenger travel and focusing more on freight, aircraft maintenance and refuelling.Latest accounts for 2020/21 showed an operating profit of £500,000.Mr Whittle said: "It’s hugely concerning that more than two years after the Scottish Government first tried to return the airport to private ownership, the SNP have failed to get the job done."Prestwick Airport supports thousands of jobs directly and indirectly in the local economy and is a hugely valuable national asset."With the right investment and leadership it can have a bright future as a hub for cargo, aircraft engineering and even spaceflight."The Scottish Government cannot afford to keep the airport on the public sector balance sheet indefinitely, and the airport can’t ever reach its full potential without significant private sector investment."From conversations I’ve had with parties interested in buying the airport, I’m convinced there have been serious failings in the process, compounded by a lack of openness on the part of the Scottish Government."We need an
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