PIK - Glasgow Prestwick International Information

It was thought that the story of Glasgow Prestwick International Airport began around 1934 with a few small planes using ‘the Meadows’ at the end of Monkton Village. However, historians have now discovered evidence that aircraft were on or near the site around 1913, a mere 10 years after the Wright Brothers first took to the air.

To maintain the airport’s place at the forefront of modern aviation, the Government announced in 1958, plans for a new terminal building, freight building, runway extension, control tower and loop road around the airport. The latter was necessary because the main road out of Prestwick passed across the runway! By April 1962 the new control tower had been built and by September 1964, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, officially opened the present terminal building.

Glasgow Prestwick International Airport is synonymous with the history of Scottish Aviation. Many people will remember the airport for Elvis’ visit in 1960 or as the transatlantic gateway during the 1960’s to 1980’s. However, the airport’s future has never been brighter. The foresight in 1964 of the airport architects and planners in designing a facility capable of handling 3 million passengers a year now looks certain to be justified.

Last year Glasgow Prestwick International Airport saw 1.8 million passengers pass through it's doors, with an estimated increase to 2.2 million due this year over it's two runways. Over the past 10 years freight business has also increased by over 400%.

How to get to Glasgow Prestwick International Airport
Surface access to and from the airport is second to none in Scotland, the airport's location means there is no road traffic congestion and airport's railway link means that the airport can be reached within 45 minutes by rail and is only 32 miles by road from Glasgow City Centre.

From Glasgow (Edinburgh and North): West on M8, South on M77, A77, A78, A79

From Dumfries (Carlisle and the South): North on A76 (A74), A70, A77, North on A78 , South A79

From Girvan and Stranraer: North on A77, A78, south on A79

map - Glasgow Prestwick International Airport