Israeli air force banned from using Prestwick airport: FOI release

Information requested

I refer to your correspondence of 19 March 2024 under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) requesting the following information:

Due the recent press reports of Israeli air force being banned from using Prestwick airport due to "public backlash" I'd like the following information.

1. Any correspondence between the Scottish government ministers and airport management regarding this.

2. What information do you hold with complaints from the public regarding the airport being used by the Israeli air force.

3. What measures are used in constituting what " public backlash " is.

4. How do the Scottish government record public backlash if using it to justify policy. 

Response

I have provided some answers below to cover each part of your request.

1. Any correspondence between the Scottish government ministers and airport management regarding this.

While our aim is to provide you information wherever we can, on this occasion we are unable to provide you with the information you have requested. I am issuing a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA
stating the Scottish Government does not hold the information that falls within scope of your request.

2. What information do you hold with complaints from the public regarding the airport being used by the Israeli air force.

The Scottish Government receives correspondence from elected officials and members of the public on a range of matters concerning our shareholding in Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

Two pieces of correspondence have been received from members of the public specifically over Israeli military activity at Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

3. What measures are used in constituting what " public backlash " is.

While our aim is to provide you information wherever we can, on this occasion we are unable to provide you with the information you have requested. I am issuing a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA
stating the Scottish Government does not hold the information that falls within scope of your request.

The term ‘public backlash’ was used in a newspaper article regarding Glasgow Prestwick Airport however the Scottish Government does not hold any policy definition of a ‘public backlash’.

4. How do the Scottish government record public backlash if using it to justify policy.

While our aim is to provide you information wherever we can, on this occasion we are unable to provide you with the information you have requested. I am issuing a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA
stating the Scottish Government does not hold the information that falls within scope of your request.

The term ‘public backlash’ was used in a newspaper article regarding Glasgow Prestwick Airport however the Scottish Government does not hold any policy definition of a ‘public backlash’.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.