Prestwick's 20 millionth passenger wins free return flight

RYANAIR, the world’s favourite airline, was today (25 January) joined by Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown MSP as it welcomed its 20 millionth passenger through Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

At the same time, it launched its summer 2011 schedule which offers 22 routes from Glasgow Prestwick with increased frequencies to Alicante, Faro, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Palma and Tenerife.

Ryanair will this year deliver 2m passengers per annum, sustaining up to 2,000 jobs in Prestwick.

Ryanair’s 20m passenger was Patricia McPhillimy (49) from Barassie, Troon. She is a nurse at the Ayrshire Hospice and was on the incoming flight from Dublin this morning after returning from her sister's birthday party in the Irish capital. She said she was "flabbergasted and delighted" to be the 20mnth passenger. Mr Brown presented her with a free return flight, courtesy of the airline, on any of Ryanair’s 22 Glasgow Prestwick summer routes, plus flowers and champagne.

Ryanair marked this double celebration by releasing 1m £6 seats for travel across its European network in late February and early March which can be booked on www.ryanair.com until midnight on Thursday 27 January. Ryanair’s summer 2011 schedule from Glasgow Prestwick in now on sale on www.ryanair.com

Ryanair’s Maria Macken said: “Ryanair is delighted to welcome our 20 millionth passenger at Glasgow Prestwick as we launch our summer 2011 schedule which will offer 22 Glasgow Prestwick routes including increased frequencies to Alicante, Faro, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Palma and Tenerife.

“To celebrate the launch of our summer 2011 schedule, we are releasing 1m £6 seats for travel in late February and early March on over 500 Ryanair routes throughout Europe which are available for booking until midnight Thursday at www.ryanair.com”

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “I am delighted to be here at Glasgow Prestwick as Ryanair welcomes its 20 millionth passenger through the airport. Glasgow Prestwick and Ryanair make a substantial contribution to Scotland’s connectivity and I look forward to their already well-established relationship going from strength to strength.”

Iain Cochrane, CEO of Glasgow Prestwick, said: “Reaching the 20 millionth passenger milestone demonstrates the great success of our partnership with Ryanair which started here back in May 1994. In these seventeen years, we have worked closely together to give Scots the lowest airfares around Europe and the best service as well as welcoming many tourists to Scotland. I look forward to the next 20 million passengers!”