Glasgow Prestwick Airport (Prestwick) has reached a major e-commerce milestone, processing over 25 million parcels through its dedicated Terminal E facility since May 2025. The achievement underscores the Scottish airport’s rapid emergence as a key hub for UK cross-border e-commerce.
The milestone comes after a year of sustained growth, during which Prestwick handled more than 600 e-commerce cargo flights, over 10,000 pallets, and 23,000 tonnes of imports. The airport’s expansion reflects both strategic investment in infrastructure and the broader surge in international online trade.
“The volume of parcels handled at Prestwick demonstrates the strength of demand for a reliable, uncongested gateway to the UK, and the expertise of our team in delivering at scale,” said Ian Forgie, Chief Executive Officer of Glasgow Prestwick Airport. “By growing our route network, investing in our processing capability, and continuing to recruit locally, Prestwick is strengthening the reach of Scottish exporters and creating skilled jobs and real economic value for Ayrshire and the whole United Kingdom.”
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Prestwick’s growth has been driven by the introduction of new long-haul cargo services in 2025. Air China Cargo and China Southern Airlines established UK operating bases at the airport, enabling 12 scheduled weekly cargo flights directly to China. These routes are expected to facilitate £250 million of cross-border trade in 2026, further cementing the airport’s role in connecting UK exporters to Asian markets.
The airport also expanded its e-commerce infrastructure last year, with Royal Mail and EVRi establishing hubs within Prestwick’s 5,302 square metre dedicated e-commerce facility. The investments have enhanced the airport’s capacity to handle rapid parcel throughput while maintaining efficiency for international logistics partners.
Speaking to Air Cargo News, Nico Le Roux, Prestwick’s Business Development Director, highlighted that regulatory changes in the US, specifically adjustments to de minimis rules for e-commerce shipments, had helped catalyse the airport’s growth. “The strategy that we implemented took about a year to come to fruition,” Le Roux said. “Carriers wanted to fly to Prestwick but faced capacity constraints. Once capacity freed up from US routes, we saw a notable increase in flights into Prestwick.”
The airport’s achievements were recognised in December 2025 when Prestwick was named Freight Business of the Year at the Logistics UK Awards, a testament to its contribution to the UK’s logistics and trade sectors.
With continued investment in route expansion and processing capability, Prestwick is positioning itself as a vital gateway for e-commerce, supporting both domestic and international supply chains while creating economic impact for Ayrshire and beyond.
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