What discussions it has had with the operators of Glasgow Prestwick Airport regarding whether there can be a guaranteed provision of public…

The Scottish Government has had no discussions with the operators of Glasgow Prestwick Airport regarding a guaranteed provision of public transport. In compliance with European Union State aid rules, the airport is operated on a wholly commercial basis and at arm’s length from the Scottish Government. Any guaranteed provision of transport to and from the airport is a commercial decision for the airport’s management team. I was, however, pleased to see that from 17 March 2016 Glasgow Prestwick Airport will be providing an early morning and late night bus service – the X99 Airport Express – which will depart Glasgow to get people to the airport for early morning flights, and will return to Glasgow from the airport once the final flight of the day has been cleared. This will operate seven days a week, initially until October 2016.