Ryanair has announced a major £40 million expansion of its aircraft maintenance operations at Prestwick Airport, marking one of the most significant aviation investments in Ayrshire in recent years. The development will see the construction of a new 11,938 sqm four‑bay heavy maintenance hangar, along with additional component workshops, expanding Ryanair’s existing facilities from six to ten bays. Once complete, Prestwick will become the airline’s largest heavy maintenance base across its European network.
The investment will support more than 1,200 highly skilled engineering and mechanic roles, including 450 newly created positions and 60 apprenticeship opportunities, providing a substantial boost to the region’s employment landscape. This project follows Ryanair’s recent £5 million investment in its Prestwick Training Academy, opened in October 2024, which is already supporting 500 jobs and providing training for engineers, mechanics, and aviation support staff. The airline says both developments are essential as it continues on its trajectory toward a fleet of 800 aircraft and passenger growth to 300 million per year by 2034.
Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson said the expanded facility would play a crucial role in supporting the airline’s long-term growth: “This new state-of-the-art, 4-bay hangar and component workshops will make Prestwick our largest heavy maintenance facility, and a key part of how we will maintain and support our fleet as we continue to grow to 800 aircraft and 300 million passengers by 2034.”
Wilson also thanked Scottish and UK government partners for their support, noting their “focused approach” in enabling Ryanair to expand its heavy maintenance footprint in Ayrshire. The expansion is being supported by significant public-sector funding, reflecting Prestwick’s strategic importance to Scotland’s aerospace ambitions.
First Minister John Swinney welcomed the announcement, saying: “I am delighted that Scottish Government investment will support the creation of 450 skilled jobs at Prestwick… It is testament to the skills of the existing workforce.”
The UK Government is contributing £4.9 million as part of its broader £32 million investment in the Prestwick Aerospace Cluster under the Ayrshire Growth Deal.
UK Government Minister for Scotland Kirsty McNeill called the project: “a massive win for Ayrshire and a powerful vote of confidence in our hugely talented local workforce.”
Scottish Enterprise has approved £11.6 million in funding, plus an additional £1.52 million for infrastructure improvements. CEO Adrian Gillespie described the expansion as: “a strong endorsement of the people and skills of Ayrshire and a major boost for the site and Scotland’s aerospace sector.”
The combined investment by Ryanair, the Scottish Government, the UK Government, and Scottish Enterprise positions Prestwick as a leading UK hub for aircraft maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO) and aviation training. For the local area, the creation of hundreds of high‑skill, long‑term jobs represents a major economic opportunity, one that leaders across industry and government say will contribute to Ayrshire’s growth for decades to come.
The announcement comes only a few days after Ryanair announced a €25 million investment in a 22,000 m² hangar facility at Madrid Barajas Airport, which will support up to 700 highly skilled jobs.
