New tartan takes off at Prestwick Airport

The new tartan uses the same colours as in Prestwick Airport's logo. Picture: Prestwick Airport

The design will feature in staff uniforms and corporate gifts for business customers.

It will also be used in marketing materials, but there are no plans to use it within the terminal.

The news comes days after the loss-making airport announced a new Ryanair route to Rzeszow in Poland from this winter.

The airport's new logo was launched last year. Picture: Prestwick Airport

Its first brand-new link for three years brings the total to ten.

The tartan was devised to complement the colours of the airport's logo - sky blue, slate and sand - which was launched a year ago.

It was unveiled to mark Tartan Day, an annual celebration which started yesterday and continues until Easter.

The design has been officially registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans.

Airport spokeswoman Kirsten Sweeney said: “Created by award winning designer Judy R Clark – who is famed for her hand tailored designs – our tartan has been developed with our brand colours in mind.

With colour, we had the opportunity to make a connection with the surrounding environment and create something that has a link to the Ayrshire community and beyond.

“We took reference from the landmarks, coastline, valleys and hills of Ayrshire.

"We also researched colours that reflected the scenery and heritage of Scotland.

EasyJet launched a tartan to mark the launch of extra flights between Inverness and Gatwick in 2014. Picture: EasyJet

"Using those reference points, we pushed the palette to take on a more contemporary feel.”

Edinburgh is believed to be the only other Scottish airports with its own tartan, which is featured in ties and trews worn by staff at official events.

The green and blue design was introduced by former owner BAA Scottish Airports.

The Scottish Register of Tartans said it was based on the Gunn tartan because of its links with 19th century Scottish aviation pioneer Percy Pilcher's family.

The airport's new logo was launched last year. Picture: Prestwick Airport

BAA's colours are also featured, with a purple line added to represent the Scottish thistle.

Glasgow Airport, which was also owned by the firm, no longer uses the tartan or any other.

Highlands and Islands Airports said none of its airports had tartans.

EasyJet launched an orange and black "Highland Aircraft" tartan in 2014 to mark the launch of extra flights between Inverness and Gatwick.

It was incorporated in staff uniforms worn on special occasions.

EasyJet said the design was the first tartan to be registered to an airline since records started in 2006.An Edinburgh Airport spokesman said: “We are exceptionally proud to be Scotland’s most popular airport and have actively promoted this around the world by wearing the Scottish Airports tartan at corporate events.

“We recognise the importance of promoting the Scotland brand on a global stage - hence proudly wearing the overarching airports design.”