Latest news with #PrestwickAirport
Daily Record
15 hours ago
- Daily Record
Ayrshire Ryanair pilot retires in style after final flight at Prestwick
Airline pilot, Duncan Munro, aged 60, retired this week from the captain's chair after decades of faithful service to Ryanair. A high flyer who safely delivered countless numbers of air passengers to sun-kissed destinations in Spain and elsewhere has hung up his captain's hat. Airline pilot, Duncan Munro, aged 60, retired this week from the captain's chair after decades of faithful service to Ryanair. Duncan, from Alloway, has flown in and out of Prestwick Airport for more than 20 years, his most regular route being the run to Malaga and back. But on Thursday, June 26, he took charge of his final Boeing 737 flight back from Spain, as he prepares to settle into a more 'grounded' lifestyle. And Duncan got the perfect welcome back as he touched down on the Prestwick tarmac - a water canon salute from his ground colleagues. Proud dad Harry said: 'Duncan's last day at work was Thursday, June 26 and he landed from Malaga early afternoon. 'On June 20, 2001, the Ayrshire Post actually published an article about my son who had just been engaged as a pilot for Ryanair, operating from Prestwick Airport. 'He is now about to retire and his last flight was 26 June, landing at Prestwick. 'Duncan rose through the ranks of Ryanair to captain, training captain and base commander at both Glasgow and Edinburgh. He also had a spell with Norwegian Air flying transatlantic. 'He was also a simulator instructor at Gatwick. In addition, he maintains his RAF connection in Glasgow.' Former Belmont Academy pupil Duncan took his first steps on his fascinating career journey when he studied General Science at Strathclyde University in 1982. Duncan then joined the RAF, rising to officer in the RAF Regiment and taking his Masters Degree at Glasgow University. A career in computing then followed, which led him to London and Singapore - before he gained his commercial pilot's licence. Duncan eventually progressed to captain one of the Ryanair fleet - and he's been loving his job ever since. And in a pleasant surprise to Duncan, wife Jane and son Fergus, flew out to Malaga on Wednesday - so they could enjoy his last flight home from Spain the following day. Fergus said: 'It all went really well. I gave him a call before we got on the flight home and asked him if he'd welcome us on as VIP's! 'It was definitely an emotional day and I think it only hit him when we landed and he was carrying out his final shutdown. Then he realised it was all over.' Duncan's life in aviation isn't quite over however; he's going to be the Deputy Chief Flying Instructor at Acron, based at Gatwick, where he'll put the next generation of airline pilots through their paces in their state-of-the-art flight simulators. Duncan's career timeline * Hired by Ryanair in 2001, initially based at Prestwick * Promoted to Captain in 2002 and based in Stansted, then moved to be based back at Prestwick after 6 months * Logged approximately 14,000 hours as Captain and 3,200 hours as First Officer (about 18,000 in total from start of career to the end) * Flew over 10,000 sectors * Became a Line Training Captain in summer 2004 * Qualified as a Type Rating Instructor in 2006 * Flew Air Experience Flights with Air Cadets from 2007 to 2022 as part of an Air Squadron * Appointed Base Captain at Edinburgh in November 2008 * Became Base Captain at Glasgow in December 2014 * Flew transatlantic routes for Norwegian in August 2017 * Returned to Ryanair as a line pilot in Edinburgh in February 2019 * Will become Deputy Chief Flying Instructor at L3Harris (Acron) in August 2025 * Intends to complete A320 and A330 type ratings * Retired after his final flight from Málaga to Prestwick, which was marked with a water cannon salute.
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Which protests will the UK state declare unacceptable next?
It may come as a surprise, then, that it has taken this long for the USA to be directly and openly involved with Israel in its wars against its immediate neighbours. Support overt and covert, aid, munitions yes, but never actual direct military involvement. Depending on your point of view, the USA has waged war elsewhere – Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan – but this sets a dangerous precedent, not least 'pre-emptive' strikes coupled with the declaration from Netanyahu that the US strikes were carried out in 'full coordination with the Israeli military". READ MORE: Patrick Harvie and Angus Robertson face-off over Israel divestment Can we believe Trump when he says the hits were so successful that everything was 'completely and totally obliterated' and now, 'it's over'? We had all heard in advance of a supposed two-week window for negotiations, knew of the USA jet and navy movements. Surely Iran took its own pre-emptive actions to safeguard and remove who and what it could. So is it game over for another few years, or a generation perhaps, as die-hards on both sides lick their wounds with ultra-nationalistic spittle? None of this will help Palestinians and a two-state solution, nor the Israeli families waiting for the return of hostages. If anything, it has been a balletic manoeuvre, of killing, mayhem and destruction orchestrated by Israel, with USA drawn into what is a new war, no matter how short, as a full partner. And what of Israel: what does this current extreme-right-wing government want, apart from keeping Netanyahu out of prison? Is this a long war strategy from Israel, continuing to participate in destabilising remaining neighbouring countries with future land grabs in mind? Gaza, the West Bank, then Arab country after Arab country, all leading to the creation of Greater Israel? With American and British expats in Israel numbering nearly one million, just two of the many nationalities making up the returning diaspora, the safety of the rogue state of Israel is guaranteed. READ MORE: Prestwick Airport releases statement on US war planes row The last outpost of colonialism created in the 20th century, forced on those living there for centuries, as the West tried to expunge the guilt of centuries of pogroms and a genocide. Sadly this is no end, merely a pause. Palestinians will continue to be slaughtered, either starved or killed in some desperate attempt to find food, as the West wrings its hands in fake despair. As non-violent protest here in the UK is proscribed, yet genocide continues, who and what is next? When you stand in solidarity and support for the freedom of others, what next will be unacceptable to the state? When we stand for our own freedom, what will they outlaw? Then we should never forget Nelson Mandela when he said: 'We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians'. Selma Rahman Edinburgh KELLY Given hit the nail on the head in Thursday's paper when she used the phrase 'carefully curated political apathy'. She summed up in four words what I've been banging on about for years – the deliberate policy of successive UK governments to turn people off politics and to ensure a tiny but successful fan base for both Labour and the Tories. The establishment lives in fear of the day that the majority of the population wake up and pay attention, hence their love of low voter turnout. How they must laugh as they trumpet about democracy. Jim Butchart via email
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Airport responds to Yousaf in 'complicit in war crimes' row
Prestwick Airport is publicly owned, and Mr Yousaf warned that its continued use by the American air force could make Scotland complicit in war crimes. "I would hope the Scottish Government would take advice on its legal obligations and that includes planes refuelling at Prestwick. 'Scotland, including through the use of our publicly owned assets such as Prestwick, cannot be complicit," he said. READ MORE: Humza Yousaf warns Scotland could be 'complicit in war crimes' Operation Broadcroft: Police inquiry into evidence to Salmond probe 'ongoing' Analysis: John Swinney's leadership is safe – for now – as plotters fall silent Analysis: In all my Holyrood committee-watching years, I've never seen such a mauling But today Prestwick Airport responded pointing out it has been providing "services to military customers from around the world" for decades. 'Glasgow Prestwick Airport operates on a commercial basis and at arms-length from the Scottish Government," a spokeswoman said. "For almost 80 years the airport has been providing aviation services to military customers from around the world including Nato partners. We do not comment on operational matters relating to individual military customers. All aircraft landing at any aerodrome in the UK (including Glasgow Prestwick Airport) require to have Civil Aviation Authority permission to transit UK airspace or land in the UK.' Speaking to the Sunday Mail at the weekend Mr Yousaf said: 'The Scottish Government should be doing everything within its power to distance itself from Israel's illegal military actions, whether it's the assets we own, the limited foreign interventions we can make…Whatever we can do, we should be doing because this is the moral question of our time." American military aircraft are a regular sight above the skies of South Ayrshire, with US planes stopping at the airport 39 times since the start of June. The Pentagon is a powerful backer and supplier of Israel, which has been accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza. A verdict is not expected for many years. The country's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, launched a series of strikes on Iran on June 13 with US President Donald Trump confirming early on Sunday morning that his country had entered the war. Speaking in Holyrood on Wednesday External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson left the door open to the US military using Prestwick Airport for strikes on Iran – but insisted the base was not used in recent American bombing raids on the country. He refused to say whether the US Air Force would be stopped from using the state-owned Ayrshire airport, which is often used by allied militaries as a refuelling stop. Labour backbencher Carol Mochan asked whether the Scottish Government would rule out allowing America and Israel access while they carried out strikes on Iran. She said: 'Can he assure my constituents that sites like Prestwick Airport will not be used to facilitate attacks on Iran by the USA or indeed to support Israeli aircraft, given these efforts have no UN backing whatsoever? And can he be clear what US activity is currently happening at the Prestwick Airport site?' Mr Robertson said that he had 'not seen any information that would support any conclusion about involvement of Scottish facilities being used directly in terms of military attacks on Iran' saying that previous strikes did not involve the airport. American bombers were refuelled 'in the air' before bombing Iran and then returned back to the US without stopping at Prestwick, Mr Robertson said. He added: 'I understand the point she's making more generally about Prestwick Airport, if she has any information that would support the conclusion, the concern that she has, I would be grateful to hear that. 'We remain in dialogue with the UK Government – her party is in government in the UK, perhaps she would take the opportunity through her good offices to raise this with responsible UK ministers. In terms of devolved responsibilities, we will do everything that we can but she will appreciate that there are limits.' Later asked by Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr whether there were any formal arrangements with the US to allow military access to Prestwick Airport, Mr Robertson replied: 'I would have to check the status. 'I'm not aware of any memoranda of understanding but he will appreciate it's a matter of public record Prestwick Airport is used by the US Air Force, the Canadian Royal Airforce, a number of air forces from the Middle East.' Kenny MacAskill, leader of the Alba Party, said that the Scottish Government must ban American military planes from using the site. In a statement, he said: 'It's not Kneecap or Palestine Action who are the threat to our society and planet but those complicit in the genocide and war. We should be ceasing fuelling US war planes at Prestwick not deplatforming an Irish rap band at a music event.' A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'It is vital that the UK Government and the international community take action to de-escalate the situation in Gaza and the wider Middle East and work towards peace, without which there could be disastrous implications. 'Glasgow Prestwick Airport operates on a commercial basis and at arm's length from the Scottish Government. Operational decisions regarding the day-to-day running of the airport are a matter for its management.' An SNP spokesman said Mr Yousaf had nothing further to say.
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Airport admits safety failures in court after worker's death
Glasgow Prestwick Airport Ltd admitted to failing to ensure that work equipment was maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair, ultimately leading to Joseph Dempsey's death on January 11, 2023. The 59-year-old dad-of-two, known as Joe, had been employed as a ground handling operative and died after suffering serious injuries when he fell around 10 feet onto the tarmac from a loading platform. Joe Dempsey (Image: Facebook) Ayr Sheriff Court heard that Mr Dempsey had raised concerns with colleagues moments before the tragic accident that a guardrail had not been in the correct position. A Crown prosecutor told the hearing: "Joseph, known as Joe, Dempsey was aged 59. He was widowed and a father to an adult son and daughter. He worked as a ground handling operative for over 15 years. "The incident occurred on Apron Alpha, one of several aircraft parking aprons at the airport; large areas of airport tarmac with numbered aircraft parking positions known as stands, for boarding/deboarding passengers and loading or unloading cargo. "The platform is part of a Trepel 'Champ 300' pallet container loader, manufactured by Trepel Airport Equipment, sold as new to Prestwick Airport in 2005. The loader is one of three in operation at the airport for cargo pallets and containers. "Mr Dempsey had previously been trained in the operation of a variety of airport equipment and was fully trained. "On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, Mr Dempsey started his shift at 7am. He was due to work until 5pm. At approximately 11.45am a scheduled Boeing 747-8F cargo aircraft operated by Cargolux pulled in after landing. "The large, wide-bodied aircraft visits several times a week. Prestwick Airport (Image: Wikimedia Commons) "Mr Dempsey drove the loader platform slowly to the open cargo hold and raised the front platform. Once in position with stabilisers deployed, Mr Dempsey was joined by two other airport operatives to assist unloading. "He attempted to extend the front left guardrail manually, stating to his colleague that it was not in the right position. Whilst Mr Dempsey was attempting to extend the guardrail it suddenly gave way. "He fell forwards from the platform to the tarmac, approximately 10 feet below, landing on his left side." The court heard that co-workers "immediately went to his assistance". However, Mr Dempsey was observed to have sustained a serious head injury. He was given CPR and life support by emergency services, but sadly, efforts to revive him proved unsuccessful. The procurator fiscal depute said he was pronounced dead around an hour later. A subsequent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive identified failings on the part of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, with regard to the inspection and maintenance of the loading platform and the related failure of part of the guardrail which gave way due to significant corrosion. A post-mortem confirmed the cause of Mr Dempsey's death to be head and chest injuries due to a fall from height. There were "visible signs of significant corrosion and discoloured flaking white paint around the area of failure" post-accident, upon the tubular guardrail post and support. The bolt securing the fractured front guardrail post to the post support appeared to be new in comparison to the securing bolt. The Crown narration added: "That bolt showed signs of corrosion and the rear post, while intact, showed areas of flaking paint exposing bare metal and included an area of welding in the same areas where the failure occurred in the front post. "The two welded sections were not a design feature of the original guardrail manufactured by Trepel. It is therefore considered likely that the incident guardrail had been modified or repaired while under the ownership of Prestwick Airport. "The welds on both front and rear post contained defects such as lack of fusion, incomplete weld penetration and the presence of large voids. Cracks and open defects would enable ingress of moisture creating a corrosive environment accelerating degradation. "The most significant loss due to corrosion was found on internal surfaces of the top sections of tubing above the weld on both front and rear posts of the guardrail. Forty per cent material loss created significant weakening in the critical area, due to bending stresses. "The same location showed cracking and peeling of the paint as well as corrosion of the external surface, which should have warranted a focused inspection or replacement." Glasgow Prestwick Airport Limited's defence solicitor told the court they had cooperated fully with investigations, were "entirely contrite" and had since updated health and safety procedures. It was stated in court that the company recorded a £50 million turnover for the year ending March 31, 2024. Sheriff Mhari MacTaggart decided to defer sentencing until a later date to give the "important matter serious consideration". Prestwick Airport has been approached for comment.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Global crisis poses defence dilemma for John Swinney
In the aftermath of the recent US strikes on Iran, Holyrood politicians wanted to know if Scottish facilities such as the government-owned Prestwick Airport were excluded from use in such Scottish government's External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson assured MSPs that Prestwick had not played any part in this particular also pointed out that the airport is regularly used by the air forces of the UK's allies such as the US and Canada - an important revenue stream for doesn't quite answer the question, but it does help clarify the careful balance the Scottish government is trying to find amid wars in the Middle East and Ukraine and President Donald Trump's uncertain position on the defence of Europe. The Holyrood administration seems keen to avoid undermining the UK's positions on defence and foreign affairs at such a sensitive time of international Minister John Swinney echoed the prime minister's call for "de-escalation" in Iran following the US strikes while warning of the potential dangers of the military did not openly condemn President Trump for taking the decision to bomb Iran's nuclear ministers want to be seen as reliable partners to the UK's allies in Nato in the event that one day they might be seeking independent Scottish membership of that the same time they are sensitive to opinion in their own party, and beyond that, favour a diplomatic rather than a military approach to conflict resolution. The SNP's Westminster leader Stephen Flynn tends to be less nuanced in his contributions, at one point comparing the current situation with the build up to the Iraq certainly seems fair to observe a difference in the tone of comments from Scottish ministers and some other SNP be clear, international relations are under UK government control. The Scottish government does not have a formal role in decision-making but can express its views and potentially lobby UK Scotland, the most obvious policy clash is over nuclear UK government is committed to maintaining the Trident nuclear weapons system and the four Clyde-based submarines designed to deploy nuclear armed ministers believe this is essential to deter Russia and other states with nuclear weapons from pointing them in our SNP is fundamentally opposed to the possession of nuclear weapons, which they believe could encourage the party's 2024 election manifesto makes clear, the SNP "has never and will never support retention or renewal of Trident".Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently described this policy as "wrong-headed". More generally, the SNP's opponents consider their anti-nuclear stance to be in direct conflict with their support for Scottish membership of Nato in the event of is a 32-country military alliance underpinned by the potential use of nuclear SNP point out that most Nato countries do not have nuclear weapons and that Finland has just joined as a non-nuclear member. Finland is not, however, seeking the removal of nuclear weapons from its the UK and Scottish governments agree that there is a need to increase UK defence spending as a share of national economic output or prime minister is not only seeking to present this as a commitment to protecting UK interests but as an economic opportunity that could bring good jobs to all corners of the idea of a defence dividend was underlined by his decision to launch the UK's strategic defence review at the BAE Systems naval shipyard in suggested a longer term commitment to Scottish shipbuilding. There was also the hint that proposals for a UK-wide network of munitions factories could include new or expanded facilities in Scotland. The Scottish government has not objected to increased UK defence spending north of the border, although the first minister made clear to me in a recent interview that he favours the cash being used for conventional rather than nuclear has used this extra spending to raise questions about how the Scottish government deploys its economic and skills development resources to support the defence UK defence secretary, John Healey, accused SNP ministers of "student union politics" when it emerged that a specialist welding centre planned by Rolls Royce for Glasgow could be under threat because it was being denied a £2.5m grant from the economic development agency Scottish Scottish government said the facility to support the construction and maintenance of submarines was not eligible for funding because of a longstanding policy of not allowing public money to support the manufacture of munitions. In a Holyrood debate, the Conservatives urged the SNP to change this stance - which seemed to draw sympathy from the SNP's former defence spokesman Stewart on social media, he said that "it pains me to see we are not evolving with the serious times we live in".Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes defended the policy and pointed to other financial support the Scottish government had given to defence firms for diversification and a BBC interview, she also described the ban on backing munitions production as the "current position", which seemed to hint at the potential for is supposed to be an update on a review of the human rights criteria to be applied when considering applications for devolved public support before Holyrood breaks for the are certainly those who want the Scottish government to do more to help grow the defence industries based in Scotland that support growth is after all supposed to be one of the Scottish government's four are also those such as the Scottish Greens who want them to do less. They believe it is morally wrong to subsidise bomb making and the firms that carry out the SNP's manifesto called for a ban on arms sales to Israel. In power, Labour has suspended some arms export SNP supports the recognition of a Palestinian state, which Labour has said it would do as part of a renewed peace process with Israel towards a two state former first minister, Humza Yousaf, criticised the UK's decision to use anti-terror laws to proscribe a pro-Palestinian group for vandalising RAF planes. He said this was a ludicrous over-reaction. There has been a further row about a donation of NHS equipment from the Scottish government to was given on a humanitarian basis which under rules that are followed by the UK and other countries prevents its use in a military have argued that this gift should have been made in a different way so that it could have gone to the frontline if issues do not just draw dividing lines between the SNP and its rivals to the left and right of the political spectrum in the run up to the Holyrood election in and foreign policy is also a sensitive political issue within the Labour prime minister's commitment to boost spending is welcomed by defence unions who see improved prospects for their are those on the Labour left like the former Scottish party leader Richard Leonard who have publicly expressed concern that the UK government is prioritising weapons over initial increase in defence spending is principally being funded by a raid on the overseas aid increases might squeeze the cash available for public services which would inevitably cause significant rows within the Labour party never mind with its rivals including the SNP.A Labour rebellion is already underway at Westminster over the government's attempts to slow the growth in welfare spending by cutting some is not of course possible to spend the same money twice and choices must be UK defence spending rises, so do the tensions within Scottish politics over how best to use public resources to meet the challenges of an unstable world.
