Holyrood hears call for space port at Prestwick

GLASGOW Prestwick airport should be the “location of choice” to host the UK’s first spaceport due to its “world class aerospace hub” and expertise in the sector, Holyrood heard today.

Holyrood has heard plans to make Glasgow Prestwick Airport the UK's first spaceport. Picture: John Devlin

Conservative MSP John Scott called for the inclusion of Glasgow Prestwick Airport in the shortlist of sites being considered to host the first spaceport in the UK.

Scotland should “urgently grasp with both hands” the opportunity to have the airport host such a scheme, Mr Scott said during a Holyrood debate on the issue today.

Mr Scott said that Glasgow Prestwick Airport was ideally placed to host the port to cater for space tourism due to its strong transport links, as well as its expertise in the industry.

The MSP said that Prestwick was also ideal because of its “weather conditions” that he said were suitable for space flights.

He said: “Prestwick’s obvious attributes should make it clear to ministers that it is the ideal location of choice.”