Red Arrows deal set for Airport take off

Landmark agreement could bring hundreds of jobs

- STEPHEN BARK

Prestwick Airport was the "number one choice" to host the final assembly line for the potential replacement of the Hawk fighter jet used by the Red Arrows.

Aeralis, one of the companies vying for the contract to replace the Hawk which will be phased out of service by 2030, chose Prestwick Airport out of 67 potential sites.

More than 200 jobs could be coming to the airport to assemble the new military jets if Aeralis get the go-ahead from the UK Government.

If successful, different parts of the jets will be built across multiple sites in England before coming to Prestwick for final assembly.

Aeralis' proposition draws on existing, world-leading UK manufacturing through a core consortium of seven aerospace and defence companies, supported by over 40 small and medium-sized enterprises.