Glasgow Prestwick Airport has appointed a new business development director for cargo as it looks to grow its freight business.

The airport has welcomed Mike Stewart who has more than 25 years’ experience within the air cargo and aviation industry.

This appointment is part of Glasgow Prestwick’s efforts to return its business to a position of profit and long-term sustainability and it says cargo will be a key area that the airport hopes to grow over the coming years.

Glasgow Prestwick interim chief executive, Richard Jenner says: “Cargo is an area where we could have been doing more to grow business and now that Mike is in post we hope to do just that.

“I believe that Mike will be a great asset – he brings with him a vast range of relevant experience and an excellent contact book and I hope we can make the most of this now that he is with us.”

Glasgow Prestwick says it has a unique freight offering in Scotland as it is in a prime location for the ‘Great Circle Route’ between North America and the Middle East and it is the first mainland airport between the US and Europe.

The airport also has a range of onward connections with its own rail link and direct access to the wider motorway network.

Stewart says: “Glasgow Prestwick Airport has a huge amount going for it – it just needs someone out there making sure that the world of air cargo knows about its offering. It has had challenges in recent years and business has been tough, but I’m extremely excited to play a part in turning the airport around.

“Ever since I moved to South Ayrshire some 16 years ago, Glasgow Prestwick Airport has held a place dear to my heart, as I think it does with most people in this part of the world. This is more than a job for me and I am committed to contributing to making the airport a viable business and an asset that will be here for generations to come.”

In the last financial year from April  2014 to March 2015, Glasgow Prestwick facilitated the import and export of more than 12,000 tonnes of freight.

Glasgow Prestwick receives seven scheduled Boeing 747 freighters per week.