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The town of Prestwick is located in the central west coast of Scotland in the region of southern Ayrshire. It has a population of approximately 15 000, and is located approximately 33 miles to the south-west of Glasgow, Scotland's biggest city. It adjoins with the larger town of Ayr, the centre of which is 2 miles south.
Prestwick is famous as both a mecca for golf, and also as an aviation town. Prestwick Airport is a major international airport which caters for a number of low-cost airlines including Ryanair and BMIbaby. It also is a principal hub for airfreight - Polar Air Cargo operates a fleet of Boeing 747 cargo aircraft from its Prestwick base. In addition, both BAE Systems and GE Aircraft Engines have maintenance/manufacturing facilities adjacent to the airfield.
As well as the airport, Prestwick is the cornerstone of the UK air traffic control system, controlling 70% of UK airspace. This in addition to being one half of the Shanwick Oceanic Control centre, which oversees all North Atlantic air traffic on the European side.
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