PRESTWICK Airport has returned a £3.2 million operating profit for the year 2023-24 - making it the fifth year in the green.

The airport on the South Ayrshire coast has revenue streams spanning passenger travel, cargo operations, general aviation, fuel supply and property.

Bosses have pointed to a number of new partnerships which have helped to secure strong growth.

A spokesperson said: "Prestwick’s future growth strategy is further strengthened by new partnerships that will drive expansion in the high-demand cargo sector.

"One of the key developments is its collaboration with Royal Mail, announced in June 2024.

"This strategic partnership aims to attract e-commerce cargo flights to Prestwick through their joint offering: ‘The Fast and Efficient Ecommerce Solution for the UK'.

"By leveraging Royal Mail’s extensive logistics network and Prestwick’s capabilities as a prime cargo handling facility, this solution is expected to streamline e-commerce logistics, enhancing delivery speeds and efficiency for the growing e-commerce market."

Prestwick Airport is also set to announce another strategic partnership with a US airport which aims to establish a new transatlantic cargo corridor.

This will initially focus on aerospace shipments such as engines, engine parts, and specialised tooling.

The collaboration will promote direct cargo flights between the two airports, which are well-positioned to handle high-value, time-sensitive goods.

The agreement also opens the door to exploring the use of Prestwick as a strategic pitstop on already established cargo routes between the US airport and Europe.

The airport continues to service its scheduled passengers with its long-term relationship with Ryanair and a new five-year agreement for passenger services, resulting in a new winter route this year and an increase in the frequency of flights next summer.

The airport remains an important base for Ryanair with an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility on site employing more than 600 people.

Ian Forgie, CEO of Prestwick Airport, said: “We are incredibly proud to celebrate our fifth consecutive year of profitability, a milestone that underlines the success of our strategic vision.

"Our diverse business streams are proving to be robust and adaptable, allowing us to capitalise on growth opportunities even in a challenging market environment.

"The new partnerships with Royal Mail and the US airport highlight our commitment to expanding our cargo operations and establishing Prestwick as a leading hub for e-commerce and aerospace logistics.

"We look forward to building on these partnerships and driving continued growth for the benefit of Ayrshire and the wider UK economy.”