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John Swinney, the First Minister of Scotland, has indicated that he might ban US military aircraft from using Prestwick Airport if it is confirmed that these planes are participating in military operations in the Middle East. Swinney has voiced concerns about recent US and Israeli actions against Iran, stating that he doubts these actions adhere to an “international rules-based system.”
The issue has come into sharper focus as the Scottish government seeks clarification from the UK government regarding the purpose of US military flights operating through Prestwick. The airport, located in South Ayrshire and owned by the Scottish government since its nationalization in 2013, has seen a notable number of such military flights, although the majority of its air traffic today consists of cargo operations. Swinney emphasized that he needs concrete evidence before making any decisions, saying, “I will consider that based on the evidence that’s provided to me.”
At a recent session of First Minister’s Questions, the Scottish Greens raised concerns about a surge in US military activity at Prestwick Airport. Co-leader Ross Greer highlighted that 24 US military planes landed there in the week before the recent escalation involving Iran, calling on Swinney to act and follow Spain’s example by banning the aircraft. Greer was adamant about the intentions of these flights, describing their purpose as “abundantly obvious,” and criticized the First Minister for “sitting on his hands.”
Swinney told BBC journalist Laura Kuenssberg that while American military planes are indeed using Prestwick as a stopover on their way to the Middle East, the Scottish government currently lacks the authority to scrutinize these flights fully. He stressed the need for clear information from the UK government before reaching any conclusions. In response to inquiries, the Ministry of Defence has yet to provide clarity on the matter. The debate is not new—similar scrutiny arose after an Israeli air force plane refueled at Prestwick in November 2023. At that time, the Scottish government noted that the airport operates commercially and independently from direct government control, though Greer has since claimed that Israeli military flights are now banned from the facility
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