PRESTWICK HOSTS TWENTY-FOUR DIVERTED FLIGHTS

PRESTWICK AIRPORT last week came to the aid of a number of UK airports which had to close because of the unprecedented winter freeze gripping the country, accepting twenty-four diversions from as far afield as Las Vegas and Cyprus.

Prestwick was asked to host the inbound international flights when Heathrow, Gatwick, Dublin, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh airports had to close because of snow and ice.

The visitors included jumbo jets and other wide-bodied aircraft.

Airlines represented included Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Delta Airlines, KLM, Aer Lingus, BMI, Loganair, Ryanair and Easyjet.

In total, Prestwick played host to over one thousand additional passengers in a hectic three-day spell.

Chief Executive Iain Cochrane said: "Once again Glasgow Prestwick demonstrates its value to Scottish aviation by having the space, resources and expertise to handle a wide range of airliners at short notice. And of course, while all this was happening, we ensured all our scheduled services operated by Ryanair, Wizz Air and Aer Arann arrived and departed as smoothly as possible.

"Our staff, both airside and in the terminal, did a fantastic job in assisting the many passengers and aircrew during their unplanned visit to the Ayrshire coast."

Our picture shows a Virgin Atlantic jumbo jet which diverted to Prestwick while heading to London Gatwick from Las Vegas.

ends 11 January 2010