First Minster John Swinney during an announcement by Ryanair to expand their aircraft maintenance facility at Prestwick Airport, South Ayrshire, March 20, 2026
A £40 MILLION package of investment creating hundreds of new skilled jobs at Prestwick Airport has been announced.
About 450 engineer and mechanic jobs, alongside 60 apprenticeships, will come to the Ayrshire site through a 11,938sqm expansion of Ryanair’s maintenance facility co-funded by the company itself alongside £5m from the British government, and £15m from the Scottish government.
Ryanair chief executive Eddie Wilson said: “These investments underline Ryanair’s long-term commitment to Scotland, to high-quality engineering and mechanic jobs, and to developing the next generation of aviation talent here in Ayrshire.”
Visiting the Scottish government-owned airport, a “delighted” First Minister John Swinney said: “Ryanair has chosen to expand at Prestwick because of the talent and expertise on the ground, and it is testament to the skills of the existing workforce.”
British government minister for Scotland Kirsty McNeill added: “Helping secure Prestwick Airport’s long-term future is a priority for the UK government.”
Describing the investment as “a powerful vote of confidence in our hugely talented local workforce,” she added: “The sky’s the limit for Ayrshire as a global leader in the aerospace sector.”
