Routes
Proposed flight paths from Prestwick Airport to Scotland's west coast islands — distances, flight times, and use cases for each route.
Map shows approximate straight-line flight corridors. All distances and times are indicative.
All route estimates reference the Windracers ULTRA — a fixed-wing autonomous cargo aircraft with approximately 100 kg payload capacity and ~1,000 km range. Designed specifically for maritime and island logistics missions.
The shortest route and the most frequently disrupted crossing in the network. Brodick–Ardrossan ferry cancellations during winter months are well documented. An autonomous cargo link from Prestwick would provide a practical rapid-response tier for medical supplies, perishables, and urgent freight.
Primary use case: Medical supply continuity, emergency freight, time-sensitive goods during ferry suspension.
Campbeltown is served by a single road route through Kintyre and an existing regional airport. Autonomous cargo would complement both, offering a direct freight link to Prestwick for high-value commercial and healthcare goods.
Primary use case: Commercial freight, healthcare, support for Kintyre peninsula economy.
The Isle of Bute sits just 38 km from Prestwick and shares Arran's vulnerability to CalMac disruption — its sole ferry link runs from Wemyss Bay. With a resident population of around 6,500, Rothesay is the largest settlement in the Phase 1 network and a natural complement to the Arran corridor, with near-identical flight economics.
Primary use case: Medical supplies, perishables, urgent freight during ferry disruption. Near-identical case to Arran.
Islay hosts some of Scotland's most valuable export industries, including multiple internationally recognised whisky distilleries. Reliable, rapid freight access has direct commercial value beyond community resilience. Existing airstrip infrastructure at Islay Airport supports operational feasibility.
Primary use case: Whisky industry supply chain, island community resilience, tourism season logistics.
Mull is one of Scotland's most visited islands, with tourism demand creating seasonal logistics complexity. The surrounding Firth of Lorn and western waters are increasingly significant for offshore wind development — a growing source of rapid-response logistics demand.
Primary use case: Offshore wind logistics, tourism freight, island resilience.
Tiree is among the most logistics-challenged inhabited islands in Scotland — remote, consistently windy, and served by a long CalMac route from Oban. Crucially, Tiree already has an operational airstrip (Tiree Airport), significantly reducing the ground infrastructure investment required at the receiving end. Its geographic position makes it a compelling relay node for onward autonomous delivery to Coll and Colonsay.
Primary use case: Island community resilience, NHS Highland supply, potential relay hub for outer islands.
Offshore wind development across the Firth of Clyde and west coast waters is accelerating. Autonomous cargo aircraft could provide rapid parts and equipment delivery to offshore installations, reducing costly vessel time and improving operational efficiency for energy operators.
Industry Opportunities