RYANAIR has opened a brand new £5 million training academy at Prestwick Airport - with a jobs boost for 500 engineers and mechanics.

The airline celebrated the opening of an engineering Training Academy at the airport, creating highly skilled jobs including licensed engineers, mechanics and support staff.

The investment sees the addition of state-of-the-art classrooms and workshops and installation of a training aircraft on site.

CEO of Ryanair, Eddie Wilson, said: “As the number one airline in Europe, we are delighted to announce an investment of £5 million in a Training Academy at Prestwick Airport creating 500 new engineer and mechanic positions at Prestwick.

"The upgrade includes new classrooms, workshops, and training facilities, including a training aircraft on site and we look forward to investing in Ayrshire with state-of-the-art training facilities to support our six-bay heavy maintenance facility.”