Prestwick Airport and Scottish Aviation

Famous for being the only place where Elvis Presley set foot in the UK, Prestwick Airport is a survivor. Originally developed in the 1930s, Prestwick has been lucky to last till today. Often under-funded and considered too far from Glasgow, Prestwick has also been home to Scottish Aviation, whose Twin Pioneers were a common sight in the 1960s and 1970s. Its location, fog-free flying conditions and cheapness to land there have helped Prestwick survive against competition from Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Its story is one of triumph over adversity, of David against Goliath and it is testament to a few local visionaries that Prestwick remains today. Now site of one of Britain’s largest air traffic control centres, BAE SYSTEMS and a popular route for budget airlines, Prestwick is still a major airport.