GE Aerospace is to invest £30m to expand and modernise its Prestwick site, part of the company’s commercial engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) network.
The project is designed to strengthen capacity and operational flow at the South Ayrshire site. Its centrepiece is a new 55,000 sq ft building, and the work is being delivered on an accelerated schedule, with full operations targeted for the first quarter of 2028.
The expansion follows more than two years of analysis and planning involving GE Aerospace, the Ayrshire Growth Deal and regional stakeholders. GE Aerospace plans to hire around 150 workers over the next five years.
According to Scottish Enterprise, which announced the investment, GE Aerospace’s £30m is supported by £27m from the Ayrshire Growth Deal, along with a planned £6m from Scottish Enterprise. Scottish Enterprise describes the combined package as a planned £57m investment. That figure equals the GE Aerospace and Ayrshire Growth Deal sums added together; the announcement does not say whether the planned £6m from Scottish Enterprise is included in the £57m total or comes on top of it.
Of the £27m from the Ayrshire Growth Deal, £18m comes from the UK Government, £8m from the Scottish Government and £1m from South Ayrshire Council. The public funding will support site development, enabling works and facility fit-out.
Andy Prow, site leader at GE Aerospace in Prestwick, said: “This investment reflects GE Aerospace’s commitment to our customers and to the future of our Prestwick site. By expanding and modernising the facility with the help of government partners, we are improving capacity, operational flow and readiness for future demand, while helping hire and train additional workers from the area.”
Brian Connolly, leader of South Ayrshire Council, said: “This is a major milestone for the Ayrshire Growth Deal, which will significantly benefit South Ayrshire and the wider Scottish economy. The investment will retain high value skilled jobs, attract talent to the sector and reinforce Prestwick’s position as a leading UK aerospace location, while creating attractive career opportunities for future generations in local STEM industries.”
Melanie Ward, UK Government Minister for Scotland, said: “With more than £18 million of UK Government funding we are unlocking private sector investment, boosting skilled jobs and helping drive good growth in every Scottish postcode. In total the UK Government is investing £32 million through the Ayrshire Growth Deal into the Prestwick Aerospace Cluster. This will help deliver a long-term future for Prestwick Airport, ensure the region is a leading UK hub for the sector and provide the next generation of Scottish engineers with a world-class career path right on their doorstep.”
Reuben Aitken, managing director, investment and international at Scottish Enterprise, said: “GE Aerospace’s investment builds on decades of engineering expertise at Prestwick and the site’s role within its global operations. By expanding capacity and enhancing productivity, it will strengthen the site’s competitiveness, increase its already significant contribution to Scotland’s exports and create new opportunities for skilled workers.”
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GE Aerospace’s UK team currently numbers 4,100 employees. In 2026, the company has invested more than £7m in manufacturing and £19m in MRO in the UK.
Alongside the expansion, GE Aerospace announced a £75,000 donation to Ayrshire College. The money will support new training equipment for students and apprentices, as well as a course designed to prepare students for careers in the wider aerospace industry. Around 150 apprentices and full-time students are expected to benefit.
