Building on training excellence 

The project builds on Ryanair’s earlier £5 million investment in the Prestwick Training Academy, opened in October 2024. That facility created highly skilled jobs and introduced industry leading training infrastructure, including classrooms, workshops and a dedicated training aircraft.  

Together, the training academy and the hangar establish Prestwick as a fully integrated training‑to‑operations site. It will enable Ryanair to attract, train and retain engineering talent at scale. 

This combination of scale, productivity and skills give investors the confidence that complex, safety‑critical operations can be delivered at pace and to the highest international standards. 

Collaborative Team Scotland approach 

A Team Scotland partnership, with key agencies involved, played a decisive role in enabling the expansion. Scottish Enterprise was the main point of contact that allowed the company to broaden its footprint in Scotland, supported by its international arm, Scottish Development International.

Eddie Wilson of Ryanair says: “When working with Scottish Enterprise the whole approach was seamless. For Ryanair, the support we received for training was crucial for our partnership.”   

Scottish Enterprise approved an £11.6 million funding package for the project. It's delivering an additional £1.52 million for enabling infrastructure, working alongside the Scottish Government. On a local level, South Ayrshire Council, provided engagement between national agencies and the airport. 

Unlocking capital for global investors 

The UK Government is contributing £4.9 million towards enabling infrastructure for the hangar. This is part of its wider investment in the Prestwick Aerospace Cluster.

Additional funding has come from the Ayrshire Growth Deal, supported by the Scottish Government, the UK Government, and three Ayrshire councils. This collaborative approach reduced delivery risk, supported site readiness, and accelerated the project timeline. 

The expansion also benefits from Prestwick Airport’s long‑term development strategy. Glasgow Prestwick Airport is providing long‑term land lease for the new hangar, ensuring physical capacity for future growth, while cementing a partnership that has spanned more than three decades.  

From an inward investment perspective, the project is a compelling demonstration of Scotland’s aerospace proposition. It shows how internationally focussed companies can anchor high value, strategic operations in Scotland, supported by a skilled workforce, established sector depth and effective public private collaboration.  

The expansion strengthens the Prestwick Aerospace Cluster and enhances regional resilience in Ayrshire. It also demonstrates Scotland’s strengths in advanced manufacturing, engineering skills and sustainable economic growth. 

Ryanair’s £40 million commitment illustrates how Scotland competes internationally for aviation and aerospace projects. It also shows how public investment can unlock significant private capital, and how the nation’s regional strengths can be scaled to meet global demand.