An aerospace manufacturer has committed £57m to expand and modernise its aircraft maintenance operations at a facility adjacent to Prestwick Airport in South Ayrshire.
GE Aerospace is allocating £30m toward the expansion and modernisation of its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) site. The project includes construction of a new 55,000 sq ft (5,109 sq m) building, with completion targeted for the start of 2028. The Ayrshire Growth Deal is providing £27m in support, while Scottish Enterprise has committed an additional £6m.
The facility specialises in overhauling and repairing GEnx engines, which power Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 747-8 aircraft. In a significant development for the sector, UK Export Finance and GE Aerospace signed a five-year agreement in August 2026 offering up to £750m in government-backed financing to qualifying airline customers for engine maintenance and overhaul work at GE's Prestwick and Welsh sites.
How many jobs will the expansion create?
The investment is anticipated to generate approximately 150 new positions over the next five years. Beyond direct employment, the Ayrshire aerospace cluster currently supports around 5,000 employees and generates about £575m in combined turnover, according to a 2026 National Manufacturing Institute Scotland analysis.
What will the upgraded facility deliver?
The modernisation will enhance capacity and operational efficiency at the site, positioning it to better serve customers across GE Aerospace's commercial MRO network. Andy Prow, site leader at GE Aerospace in Prestwick, stated:
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.
The expansion also includes a £75,000 donation to Ayrshire College to support new training equipment for approximately 150 students and apprentices. The funding will support the delivery of a course designed to prepare students for careers across the wider aerospace industry, helping to secure the next generation of aerospace skills.
Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth described the expansion as a major boost for the local economy and a vote of confidence in Scotland's workforce. She said:
It is also a vote of confidence in Scotland's workforce, and our support for this expansion clearly demonstrates our commitment to build on the strengths of our advanced manufacturing and engineering sectors, as well as stressing the importance of the aerospace sector.
South Ayrshire Council leader Brian Connolly characterised the investment as a significant milestone for the Ayrshire Growth Deal, which will substantially benefit both the local and national economy.
What government support is backing the project?
Multiple levels of government are supporting the initiative. UK minister Melanie Ward noted that the UK government has invested £32m in the Ayrshire Growth Deal to secure a long-term future for Prestwick Airport. The Ayrshire Growth Deal's Aerospace and Space Programme comprises £80m in total funding: £32m from the UK Government, £30m from the Scottish Government and £18m from South Ayrshire Council.
Reuben Aitken from Scottish Enterprise emphasised that the investment builds on decades of engineering expertise at Prestwick and the site's role within GE Aerospace's global operations.
What is GE Aerospace's broader investment strategy?
GE Aerospace designs and manufactures engines and technology for passenger, military and private aircraft. The US-headquartered company operates bases in Cardiff and Hounslow in addition to its Prestwick facility. In 2025, GE Aerospace announced a £14.2m investment at its Wales site over three years to improve infrastructure there.
The financing agreement signed at the Farnborough International Airshow represents a strategic development for the sector. According to GE Aerospace CFO Rahul Ghai, the government-backed financing programme will give airlines a faster, more reliable way to manage engine-overhaul investments.
What happens next?
The construction of the new building is scheduled for completion by the start of 2028. The UK Export Finance programme will run for five years, making financing available to qualifying airline customers for engine overhaul work at GE's Prestwick and Welsh facilities, potentially expanding the company's customer base and operational capacity beyond the current expansion timeline.
Key Facts
- GE Aerospace is investing £30m with £27m support from the Ayrshire Growth Deal and £6m from Scottish Enterprise
- A new 55,000 sq ft building will be constructed, with completion targeted for early 2028
- The project is expected to create approximately 150 new jobs over five years
- UK Export Finance has committed up to £750m in government-backed financing for engine maintenance work at GE's Prestwick and Welsh sites
- GE Aerospace is donating £75,000 to Ayrshire College for aerospace training equipment and course development
