Weekend of High-Level Diplomatic Visits
Glasgow Prestwick Airport played a pivotal role in facilitating a series of high-profile international arrivals and departures — including the arrival and departure of Air Force One carrying President Donald Trump, the UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
Over a four-day period (Friday to Monday), our team delivered seamless VIP handling and airside operations for some of the world’s most recognised leaders – a demonstration of Prestwick’s strategic capabilities, secure infrastructure, and the skills and professionalism of our people.
Behind these smooth operations were weeks of intense planning, involving close coordination with multiple partners including Police Scotland, the U.S. Secret Service, UK government agencies, and aviation stakeholders. These partnerships are essential to ensuring the safety, security, and efficiency of all movements – especially those involving security led protocols and global media interest.
In addition to airside activity, Prestwick Airport provided dedicated press facilities to support media coverage during the arrival of President Trump and the departure of the European Commission President – the latter using the opportunity to announce a landmark trade agreement between the U.S. and EU.
These visits perfectly showcased the airport’s continued ability to support high-security, high-profile operations while remaining fully operational for other flights and business as usual. Our experienced in-house team, though small in number compared to other airports, is highly skilled in diplomatic and state visit handling, and once again delivered flawlessly under pressure.
It was a busy few days for TeamPIK but our staff ensured that the visit was a success, and we are grateful for the trust placed in our team to support operations of this global significance.
