Story ID: 
Ocean Sky touts FBO as transatlantic stop
By: Charles Alcock
Caption: Ocean Sky is seeking to capitalize on significant investments it has made to ensure that its FBO at Scotland’s Glasgow Prestwick International Airport meet
Word Count: 305
Ocean Sky is seeking to capitalize on significant investments it has made to ensure that its FBO at Scotland’s Glasgow Prestwick International Airport meets stringent new European security requirements. The security cordon established around the facility means that transiting crew and passengers do not need to go through UK immigration and customs controls–strengthening Prestwick’s appeal as a convenient technical stop for transatlantic flights. 

The private company has invested more than $1 million in the FBO and has placed a 
strong emphasis on ensuring fast technical stops for business aircraft. “We can get a Gulfstream G550 opened, closed and on its way within 30 minutes,” FBO managing director Eddie Allison told AIN.

The refurbished executive terminal is completely airside so that its customers do not have to complete immigration and customs procedures if they are only transiting. At other locations, passengers and crew would have to remain on board the aircraft, but at Prestwick transiting crew and passengers can instead enjoy all the amenities of a lounge that features equipment such as video conferencing. The lounge can comfortably accommodate up to 30 people at a time and provides space to separate passengers from crew.

The Ocean Sky base is completely separate from the main terminal at Prestwick, which is located just under 30 miles south of Glasgow. It offers ample ramp space for parking aircraft and an adjoining hangar large enough for a Boeing 747. Prestwick is now open to traffic around the clock and no slots are required.

According to Allison, a stop in Prestwick will save at least 100 miles of flying compared with alternatives such as Shannon on the west coast of Ireland. The company offers competitive handling fees to attract traffic and sells fuel directly.