Scottish government could get Glasgow Prestwick for nothing
The Scottish government, currently in talks to buy Glasgow Prestwick airport, could get it for free.
The unprofitable airport was put up for sale in March 2012 by its New Zealand owners Infratil.
Infratil has now said in a statement on its website it did not expect any sale "to give rise to material proceeds".
The airport operator said: "In March 2012 Infratil announced its intention to sell its two UK airports, Glasgow Prestwick Airport and Manston Kent Airport.
"On 15 May 2013, Infratil announced that it had written down the value of both airports to £11m.
"Infratil does not now expect any transaction completed for Glasgow Prestwick Airport or Manston Kent Airport to give rise to material proceeds."
The Scottish government hopes to wrap up a deal by November 20, until which time Infratil has agreed to ensure the airport is kept open and operational.
Speaking to the BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland this week, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Prestwick Airport could be profitable "over time" if the right approach was taken.
She said the government had stepped in to buy the airport because it was the "only realistic alternative to closure".
Ryanair, which flies to 27 destinations from the airport, has welcomed the news.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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