Major airliner to expand at busy UK airport

LocalBusiness & Finance
20 Mar 2026 • 8:22 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Ryanair is investing £40 million to significantly expand its heavy maintenance operations at Prestwick Airport in South Ayrshire.
  • The investment will fund a new 11,938 sq m, four-bay heavy maintenance hangar, increasing Ryanair's total bays at the hub from six to ten.
  • This expansion is projected to create 450 new highly-skilled engineer and mechanic jobs, alongside 60 apprenticeships.
  • Prestwick Airport is set to become Ryanair's largest heavy maintenance hangar and a crucial aircraft maintenance and training hub, supporting its fleet growth to 800 aircraft by 2034.
  • The project receives financial backing, with the Scottish Government contributing £15 million and the UK Government adding nearly £5 million, complementing Ryanair's previous £5 million investment in its Prestwick training academy, which opened in October 2024.

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