- Glasgow Prestwick Airport has exported more than one million kg of Scottish salmon since January 2026, reflecting strong uptake of its Scotland-to-China seafood export service launched last September.
- The airport has invested heavily in seafood logistics infrastructure, including temperature-controlled facilities, specialist cool chain staff, metal detection systems, shipment tracking technology, and 87 tonnes of chilled storage capacity to support time-sensitive exports.
- Cargo operations are expanding rapidly, with Air China Cargo increasing Prestwick–Chengdu flights to daily services and Ethiopian Airlines adding new Hong Kong cargo routes, boosting links to Asian markets including China, South Korea, and Vietnam.
Milestone highlights Prestwick’s growing role as a direct gateway for premium perishable exports following cool chain investments and new scheduled flights
Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) has reached the milestone of one million kilograms of Scottish salmon exported through the airport since 1st January 2026.
The year-to-date volume follows the launch of Prestwick’s Scotland to China seafood export service last September, backed by a significant investment in new equipment, dedicated cool chain personnel, and temperature-controlled facilities for time-sensitive exports.
Prestwick’s seafood export operation includes high-volume metal detectors, temperature exposure and tracking systems, and 87 tonnes of chiller capacity.
“This is an important marker for the airport and for the Scottish seafood sector,” said Ian Forgie, Chief Executive Officer, Glasgow Prestwick Airport.
“It shows that exporters are using the new service at scale, and that the investments we have made in cool chain facilities, people, and specialist handling are giving producers a faster and more resilient route to market.
“Every hour saved between the catch and final market helps protect quality, shelf life, and value for exporters, and that is exactly where Prestwick can make a difference.”
The milestone comes during a period of sustained cargo growth at the airport, supported by new scheduled freighter capacity.
Air China Cargo increased its Prestwick-Chengdu service from four flights a week to a daily service in March, bringing Prestwick’s direct scheduled cargo flights to and from mainland China to 15. Currently 11 flights are operated by Air China Cargo and 4 by China Southern Logistics per week.
Ethiopian Airlines also added three new weekly Hong Kong cargo flights earlier this month, strengthening Prestwick’s role as a gateway for Asian trade and opening options to high-growth export markets including South Korea and Vietnam.
