Prestwick Airport considers night shutdown
31.01.09
Prestwick Airport bosses are considering shutting the hub from midnight to 06:00 each day in an attempt to save money, the Evening Times reports. But a union leader says the move could threaten security.
As previously reported, airport bosses have 90 days to come up with a plan to boost revenue following a drop in revenue and passenger numbers. Managers say they are trying to avoid job cuts among the 500 workers, but they are considering cost-cutting measures including the nightly shutdown.
However, the Unite union, which represents 240 staff at the airport, says ending the 24-hour operation could have implications for overnight staff, including air traffic control and security. Official Jim Winter told the newspaper: ‘Airports are always at risk of security breaches and protests. If you close the airport at night this could have implications for security. There would need to be some sort of security presence at all times. I don't think this proposal will sit well with Government guidelines on airport security.’
However, Prestwick's chief executive Mark Rodwell insisted any changes would not result in a loss of service or security at the airport. He said: ‘Of the scheduled cargo flights that come in here every week, there is only one during the night so it would be sensible for us to consider the night time hours we operate. There will be no compromise on security, safety and compliance as a result of any changes’
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