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Ryanair to create 450 jobs in £40m Prestwick Airport expansion

There will be 60 apprenticeships among the new positions.

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Ryanair is set to create 450 new skilled engineering and mechanic jobs as part of a £40m expansion at Prestwick Airport. 

The airline will build a new 11,938 sqm, four-bay heavy maintenance hangar and additional component workshops at the site. 

There will be 60 apprenticeships among the new positions.

The investment is expected to support over 1,200 engineering and mechanic jobs in Ayrshire. 

Eddie Wilson, CEO at Ryanair, said: “As Europe’s No.1 airline, we are pleased to announce a further £40 million investment at Prestwick Airport, expanding our existing maintenance facility from 6 to 10 bays and creating 450 new highly skilled engineering and mechanic jobs, including 60 apprenticeships. 

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“This new state-of-the-art, 4-bay hangar and component workshops will make Prestwick our largest heavy maintenance facility, and a key part of how we will maintain and support our fleet as we continue to grow to 800 aircraft and 300 million passengers by 2034. 

“Today’s announcement builds on the £5M investment and 500 jobs delivered with our Prestwick Training Academy, opened in October 2024.”

Wilson added: “Together, these investments underline Ryanair’s long-term commitment to Scotland, to high-quality engineering and mechanic jobs, and to developing the next generation of aviation talent here in Ayrshire. 

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“We thank DFM Forbes and the Scottish Govt, the UK Govt, South Ayrshire Council, Scottish Enterprise, and Prestwick Airport for their support and partnership on this expansion. 

“Their focussed approach in backing this project has been crucial in enabling us to grow Prestwick into a major heavy maintenance and training hub that will deliver skilled careers and economic benefits for many years to come.”

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First Minister John Swinney said: “I am delighted that Scottish Government investment will support the creation of 450 skilled jobs at Prestwick, which will have a major economic impact in Ayrshire and beyond. 

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“Ryanair has chosen to expand at Prestwick because of the talent and expertise on the ground and it is testament to the skills of the existing workforce. 

“My government will continue to do everything in our power to support the creation of good jobs and to support economic growth in Scotland.”

UK Government Minister for Scotland Kirsty McNeill, said: “This is a fantastic example of significant public sector funding – including £32 million UK Government Ayrshire Growth Deal money for the Prestwick Aerospace Cluster – unlocking substantial private sector investment, boosting employment and driving economic renewal in Scotland. 

“Helping secure Prestwick Airport’s long-term future is a priority for the UK Government and Ryanair’s decision to build its largest heavy maintenance hangar here – creating and supporting 1,200 jobs – is a massive win for Ayrshire and a powerful vote of confidence in our hugely talented local workforce. 

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“Our collective efforts mean that Ryanair is delivering 450 new high-skilled jobs, including 60 apprenticeships, ensuring that the next generation of Scottish engineers has a world-class career path right on their doorstep.”

McNeill added: “The sky’s the limit for Ayrshire as a global leader in the aerospace sector.”

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