Aeralis jet trainer: Production moves to Prestwick

Aeralis jet trainer production is coming to Prestwick, signalling a new UK aerospace manufacturing hub.

British aircraft developer Aeralis has selected Prestwick International Airport in Ayrshire, Scotland, as the site for final assembly and flight-testing of its modular jet trainer. The move focuses on building a production-capable facility to support both military and commercial pilot training platforms without changing the company’s design goals.

The Prestwick facility will house assembly lines, systems integration work and flight-test sorties, providing a local base for engineers and technicians. Aeralis says the setup will help mature its modular approach — interchangeable fuselage and mission modules meant to reduce lifecycle costs for operators.

Aeralis jet trainer: what to expect at Prestwick

While Aeralis hasn’t released a production timeline in the original brief, the company emphasises skills development and supply-chain engagement in the Ayrshire region. The site selection is a strategic step to scale from prototypes to repeatable production, enabling more rigorous ground and flight testing close to the factory.

Local impact: the Aeralis jet trainer programme is expected to create skilled jobs and apprenticeships in assembly, avionics and flight test support.
Manufacturing focus: on-site integration and testing shorten the feedback loop between design and certification activities.
UK aerospace boost: having production at Prestwick strengthens Britain’s capacity for defence and commercial training aircraft work.

Industry observers note that placing production at an established airport supports efficient logistics for parts, access to runways for flight-test activity, and clearer pathways for collaboration with regional suppliers. The move aligns with broader efforts to retain higher-value aerospace work in the UK supply chain.

For local communities and the UK aviation sector, the decision highlights how emerging airframers can drive job creation and technical training while advancing innovative aircraft concepts. Aeralis’ Prestwick facility positions the company to progress from modular prototypes toward market-ready training jets that serve multiple operators.