Ryanair invests £40 million to expand aircraft maintenance facility at Prestwick

International

New hangar project will create 450 engineering jobs and strengthen Ayrshire’s aerospace sector

Ryanair is expanding its aircraft maintenance operations at Glasgow Prestwick Airport with a £40 million investment. The project includes the construction of a new 11,938-square-metre heavy maintenance hangar with four aircraft bays as well as additional component workshops.

The expansion will increase Ryanair’s existing maintenance capacity at Prestwick from six to ten bays, making it the airline’s largest heavy maintenance facility. The development further strengthens the airport’s role as a key maintenance and training hub within Ryanair’s European network.

Hundreds of skilled jobs and apprenticeships

The project is expected to create 450 highly skilled engineering and mechanic positions, including 60 apprenticeship roles. In total, the investment will support more than 1,200 skilled jobs in the Ayrshire region and provide long-term employment and training opportunities for local talent.

The new hangar will play a central role in maintaining and servicing Ryanair’s expanding aircraft fleet. The airline plans to grow to around 800 aircraft and carry up to 300 million passengers annually by 2034.

Building on previous investment

The latest expansion follows Ryanair’s recent £5 million investment in its Prestwick Training Academy, which opened in October 2024. The academy provides industry training for engineers, mechanics and support staff and supports around 500 jobs.

Together, the training academy and the new maintenance hangar are designed to support the airline’s long-term operational growth while strengthening Scotland’s role in aircraft maintenance and aviation training.

Public funding supports aerospace development

The project is supported by public investment aimed at strengthening the regional aerospace sector. The UK government is providing £4.9 million for enabling infrastructure linked to the new hangar. This forms part of a broader £32 million programme supporting the Prestwick Aerospace Cluster and the development of Ayrshire as a major aerospace hub.

Scottish Enterprise has also approved a funding package of £11.6 million for the expansion, along with an additional £1.52 million for related infrastructure improvements.

Prestwick strengthens position as maintenance hub

Glasgow Prestwick Airport has been a key location in Ryanair’s maintenance network for more than three decades. The new hangar will expand aircraft servicing capacity and reinforce the airport’s role as an important centre for maintenance, repair and overhaul activities in the UK aviation sector.