Scotland’s airports have been very much in focus in the last month, with Prestwick recording a fifth consecutive annual profit under Scottish Government ownership and news that Glasgow owner AGS is changing hands.

Brexit has also been in the spotlight, with Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey offering his tuppence worth, and annoying some in the Leave camp by so doing.

The news about Prestwick Airport was highly encouraging, and will hopefully take some more wind out of the sails of noisy and often politically motivated detractors.

Prestwick Airport, which was rescued by the Scottish Government in 2013 and has been supported by £43.4m of loans, plays a crucial role in the Ayrshire economy. And it is a linchpin of a huge aerospace cluster around it.

It has a workforce in the hundreds, and supports thousands more jobs indirectly.

Furthermore, it is a vital strategic asset for Scotland.

The airport, known officially as Glasgow Prestwick Airport, last month announced a £3.2 million operating profit for the year to March 31. And there was good news on its developing relationship with budget airline Ryanair and planned growth of its cargo operations.

It described its profitable performance as “a significant achievement that reflects the strength and resilience” of its “diverse business model”.

In November last year, the airport announced an operating profit of £2.1m for the 12 months to March 31,2023, up from £1.9m in the previous financial year.

My column in The Herald last month on the latest good news from the airport observed: “It was upbeat about........

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