There is much to be positive about in the latest financial results from Prestwick Airport.

And it was also great to hear the airport’s new chief executive, Jules Matteoni, in upbeat form as he looked to the future.

Mr Matteoni, who has worked at the airport for about 33 years and has been heavily involved in the securing of major cargo business from and to China, declared on Monday: “The progress this year represents a transformational shift in the airport’s business model and provides a strong foundation for future growth.”

So what did the results from the airport - which has been owned by the Scottish Government since it was rescued in a £1 purchase from previous owner Infratil of New Zealand in 2013 -  show?

The airport, known officially as Glasgow Prestwick Airport, was able to report an operating profit of £3.9 million for the 12 months to March 31, up from £3.5m in the previous financial year.

Chairman Willie Mackie highlighted the fact this was the airport’s seventh consecutive year of profit.

And the rise in profits, while it was probably to be expected given the impressive growth in Prestwick Airport’s cargo business since last year, is no less welcome because it was likely.

It is worth putting the operating profits figure in context.

In an exclusive interview with The Herald last month, in which he revealed his decision to retire on June 30, outgoing Prestwick Airport chief executive Ian Forgie highlighted the turning around of a roughly £3.5m annual operating loss when he had joined around eight years earlier into a £3.5m profit in the year to March 2025.

The latest accounts of TS Prestwick Holdco show that the airport’s revenue climbed to £62.6m in the year to March 31, from £49.5m in the prior 12 months.

Pre-tax profits increased to £1.63m from £938,000. These pre-tax profit numbers are stated after finance costs, comprising interest on a loan from Transport Scotland on behalf of Scottish Ministers........

© Herald Scotland