Investment boost for Prestwick Airport

Glasgow Prestwick Airport will host Chevron's line maintenance support operations

An aircraft maintenance firm has announced plans to invest £8.5m in a new centre of excellence at Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

Manchester-based Chevron Aircraft Maintenance said the "world class" centre would focus on aircraft engineering, maintenance and training.

The move is expected to create up to 82 jobs, most of which are "highly-specialised and skilled positions".

The plans have been supported by a £2m grant from Scottish Enterprise.

Chevron, which has signed a 10-year lease with Prestwick Airport, said it expected the centre to be operational early next year.

The South Ayrshire airport will host Chevron's line maintenance support operations, including a maintenance and overhaul facility, a training school, an aircraft decommissioning site and on-site office and workshop.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown (left) said the company's investment was "great news" for the local economy

Chevron managing director Neil Morris said: "The airport is in an excellent location at the midway point of the Great Circle Route making it a convenient stop-off point for the many aircraft that have existing flight planning over the airport.

"The facility will enable the Chevron group to handle a large range of aircraft and we hope that we can offer additional benefits to Glasgow Prestwick's existing customer base across passenger, cargo, military, executive and general aviation."

Prestwick Airport chief executive officer Ron Smith said: "Chevron will bring in additional revenue for us through this lease but we also hope that this will provide us with an additional selling point for passenger and cargo airlines, and other aviation customers including executive, military and general aviation to operate services to and from Glasgow Prestwick Airport."

Scotland's Economy Secretary Keith Brown said the company's investment was "great news" for the local Ayrshire economy.

He added: "This development will bring many new and highly-skilled jobs to the Prestwick area. I wish the team every success with the new venture and look forward to hearing of their achievements."

Prestwick Airport is owned by the Scottish government, which bought it for £1 in 2013 after it suffered losses under its previous owner Infratil.