Scheduled freighter services grow from three to 11 weekly flights as Prestwick strengthens its position as a key UK gateway for e-commerce, perishables and high-value exports connecting Scotland with mainland China.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport has celebrated a year of successful cargo operations with Air China Cargo, a partnership that has significantly expanded air freight connectivity between Scotland and China. Since launching scheduled freighter services in June 2025, operations have grown from three to 11 weekly flights, supporting rising e-commerce demand, boosting Scottish exports including premium seafood products, and creating hundreds of jobs while reinforcing Prestwick’s role as a strategic cargo hub in the United Kingdom.

Glasgow Prestwick Strengthens Position as China-Scotland Cargo Gateway

Glasgow Prestwick Airport has marked a significant milestone in its air cargo development strategy, celebrating one year of scheduled freighter operations with Air China Cargo, a partnership that has transformed the airport’s connectivity with mainland China and accelerated growth across multiple cargo sectors.

Since Air China Cargo selected Prestwick as one of its UK cargo gateways in June 2025, the collaboration has expanded rapidly, growing from an initial three weekly freighter services to 11 scheduled flights per week connecting Scotland directly with major Chinese logistics centres including Chengdu, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

The expansion reflects increasing demand for reliable trade corridors linking Asia and Europe, particularly in the fast-growing e-commerce, perishables and high-value goods sectors.

Cargo Growth Drives New Trade Opportunities

The enhanced network has significantly strengthened trade links between Scotland and China, creating additional opportunities for both imports and exports.

Inbound cargo volumes have been largely driven by e-commerce shipments, while outbound services have provided Scottish exporters with faster and more efficient access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets.

Airport officials said the partnership demonstrates the value of combining specialist cargo infrastructure, available runway capacity and direct access to key international markets.

Ian Forgie, Chief Executive Officer of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration.

“Air China Cargo’s first year at Prestwick shows how runway capacity, specialist cargo handling and direct access to major Asian markets can work together to create reliable trade lanes,” he said.

“The partnership has moved from a single Guangzhou service to a wider mainland China network, giving shippers more resilience, more schedule choice and a faster route for e-commerce imports and time-sensitive exports.”

E-commerce Volumes Continue to Surge

One of the most significant outcomes of the partnership has been the rapid growth in cross-border e-commerce traffic.

Prestwick’s dedicated e-commerce handling infrastructure has processed more than 25 million parcels over the past year, underlining the airport’s growing role in facilitating online retail trade between Asia and Europe.

The rise in e-commerce volumes mirrors broader industry trends as consumers increasingly rely on international online marketplaces and retailers seek faster fulfilment options across global markets.

Industry observers note that dedicated freighter services have become increasingly important in maintaining supply chain reliability amid rising consumer demand and evolving trade patterns.

Scottish Salmon Exports Reach New Heights

Alongside e-commerce, the airport has strengthened its position as a leading export gateway for Scotland’s premium food products.

Prestwick reported that more than one million kilograms of Scottish salmon have been exported through the airport since January 2026, supported by specialised cold-chain infrastructure and dedicated handling facilities.

The airport’s cargo operations include 87 tonnes of refrigerated storage capacity and specialist cool-chain teams that ensure temperature-sensitive products maintain quality and freshness throughout the transportation process.

The direct connectivity to China has provided Scottish seafood exporters with improved market access while reducing transit times for highly perishable products.

Expanding Mainland China Connectivity

Over the past year, Prestwick’s China network has expanded substantially.

Key developments have included the introduction of daily services to Chengdu, the launch of scheduled Shanghai operations and continued growth of Guangzhou frequencies. Together with additional Hong Kong capacity, the airport now handles approximately 15 scheduled services each week connecting Scotland with mainland China.

The increased connectivity offers freight forwarders, exporters and logistics providers greater flexibility and capacity options while improving supply chain resilience.

Economic Impact and Future Growth

The airport said the cargo expansion has contributed to the creation of more than 250 direct jobs while supporting broader economic activity across logistics, warehousing, freight handling and related sectors.

As demand for e-commerce logistics, perishables transportation and high-value exports continues to grow, industry stakeholders expect the Prestwick-China corridor to play an increasingly important role in UK-Asia trade flows.

The success of the Air China Cargo partnership also reinforces the growing importance of regional airports in supporting international cargo networks, particularly as global supply chains seek greater diversification, flexibility and operational efficiency.

With expanding freighter capacity, dedicated cargo infrastructure and strong links to major Asian markets, Glasgow Prestwick Airport is positioning itself as one of the UK’s most significant gateways for air freight trade between Europe and China.