Prestwick Airport in Scotland has won its first new flights after it was acquired by the Scottish Government last month.
According to a report by the Scotsman, no-frills carrier, Oska Travel, will operate Turkish charter services to Antalya in March. The charter flights from the airport come after Holidays4U ended services to Dalaman in Turkey about two years ago.
Oska, which operates 25 European routes from Prestwick, will operate three return flights in March for the week-long trips, which included tours of Kemer, Pamukkale, Tavas and Perga.
Prestwick Airport spokeswoman, Paula Horne, said: ‘We are delighted to have secured these Oska Travel tours from Prestwick this March.
‘It allows us to put yet another Mediterranean destination on our departure board, emphasising once again that Prestwick is Scotland’s low-cost gateway to year-round sunshine.’
Andreas Forsthuber, director of Oska Travel owners, the Kenba group, said: ‘We are very excited to add Prestwick to our portfolio and are also delighted to offer a one-week voyage of discovery to the fabulous Turkish Riviera.
‘We are convinced Scots will love this tour.’
Chief executive, Stuart Patrick, said: ‘Despite assurances that it would happen, we have as yet had no reply from the Scottish Government regarding a meeting to allay our concerns about the negative effect on Glasgow Airport of the Prestwick purchase.
‘In buying Glasgow Prestwick Airport, the Scottish ministers now have a direct stake in the performance of the airport industry in the Central Belt of Scotland.
‘We are concerned that this may have detrimental effects on the performance of Glasgow International Airport.’
The announcement came as Glasgow Chamber of Commerce renewed its call for a meeting with ministers over the airport sale.
The Scottish Government took over Prestwick for GBP1 after New Zealand owners, Infratil, threatened to shut it following a major reduction in passenger numbers. The government had said that it will be focusing on working for the airport’s successful future.
