Turkish Bid for Prestwick Airport Fails After Security Review

A takeover attempt of Glasgow Prestwick Airport by the Turkish conglomerate Limak has collapsed following an official national security review by the United Kingdom government.

Limak, a diversified company with business interests in construction, energy, cement and tourism, had emerged as the preferred bidder, selected by the Scottish government to acquire Prestwick Airport. The transaction failed to progress after Westminster officials launched an investigation that prompted Limak to withdraw its interest in the acquisition.

As a result, Prestwick will remain under public ownership and continue to be funded by the Scottish government, at least for the near future. The airport, noted for being the only place in Britain where Elvis Presley set foot and for hosting the longest runway north of Manchester, was nationalised in 2013. Then Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon led the initiative, which included controversial payments to former directors at the time of the airport’s transfer to public hands.

The Scottish government had intended to return Prestwick to the private sector in an effort to reduce the ongoing financial burden on taxpayers. A competing bid led by former chief executive Forsyth Black was dismissed earlier this year in favour of Limak, according to sources with knowledge of the process.

Limak has occasionally been linked to Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party and to President Erdogan, with political opponents of Erdogan labelling Limak as part of a group of favoured corporate entities for government contracts. The company strongly denies all allegations of corruption or nepotism. Limak operates across 14 countries and has completed over 200 projects worldwide, ranging from airports and hydroelectric power plants to the 1915 Canakkale Bridge and the renovation of Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes confirmed the withdrawal of Limak in a letter to the Scottish Parliament’s economy and fair work committee, stating that national security is paramount and that both parties had acted with integrity throughout the bidding process. Forbes did not name Limak directly in the correspondence.

Prestwick Airport’s long association with the United States continues, serving as a key staging post for American military operations. Between 2018 and 2024, the US Department of Defense spent more than £100 million on fuel at the facility. Despite the failed privatisation, Prestwick’s strategic role and secure public funding will ensure its short-term stability within the Scottish aviation sector.