One year of China Southern Air Logistics in Glasgow

Glasgow Prestwick Airport has celebrated the first anniversary of cargo flights from China Southern Air Logistics. This connection between Guangzhou and Prestwick represents the first direct cargo route between China and Scotland. The service, which operates four times a week, has contributed to an increase in cargo volume at the airport and strengthened Prestwick’s role as a key access point for Asian e-commerce activities as well as Scottish exports.

Ian Forgie, Managing Director of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, emphasized the importance of these direct cargo connections: “The first year of China Southern Air Logistics in Prestwick has highlighted the value of direct, reliable cargo links between Scotland and China.” The flights have supported faster and more stable routes for e-commerce and high-quality Scottish exports. Additionally, local jobs have been created, and investments have been made in specialized handling to build a thriving trade hub for the UK market with one of the largest logistics markets in the world.

In the past twelve months, Prestwick has achieved several cargo milestones. These include the processing of over 25 million e-commerce packages through the Terminal E facility, the creation of more than 250 direct jobs in the cargo sector, and the export of 1,000 tons of Scottish salmon since the beginning of the year.

Additionally, the airport has expanded its cargo offerings. Air China Cargo has increased the frequency of its flights from Chengdu to daily connections, while Ethiopian Airlines added three weekly cargo flights to Hong Kong. The airport now handles 15 scheduled cargo flights per week to and from mainland China and offers additional capacity to Hong Kong. This supports both inbound e-commerce and the export of Scottish products such as salmon, seafood, and whisky.

Prestwick’s growth strategy in the cargo sector is supported by investments in specialized equipment, skilled personnel for the cold chain, and temperature-controlled facilities. This includes cooling capacity for 87 tons of time-sensitive exports.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport operates cargo operations around the clock and has no restrictions or curfews for incoming or outgoing flights. This allows for comprehensive in-house support, ranging from cargo handling to refueling aircraft. The uninterrupted air and ground routes contribute to a reduction in emissions, and the average processing time for large cargo aircraft is two hours after landing.

www.glasgowprestwick.com