Air China Cargo has launched a scheduled freighter service from Guangzhou, China to Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK), marking a significant step forward in UK–China airfreight connectivity. With three weekly flights now operational—and plans to expand to seven- the service underscores the strategic ambitions of both partners and promises a boost to trade between Greater China and Scotland.
“This really is an endorsement of Prestwick’s exceptional cargo handling capabilities,” said Ian Forgie, CEO of Glasgow Prestwick Airport. “With the addition of the new flights, we’re excited to see the possibilities for Scottish exporters.”
Speaking exclusively to Air Cargo Week, Nico Le Roux, Business Development Director at PIK, highlighted the deep operational partnership underpinning the new route. “It is mutual development between the airline and the airport. We supported Air China Cargo in securing regulatory approval to operate into the UK,” Le Roux said. “The fact that we can turn an aircraft around within two hours, even with a full load, was a key factor. For airlines, every minute counts—aircraft only make money when they’re in the air.”
Doubling cargo volumes overnight
The implications of the new service are substantial. “This effectively doubles our cargo volumes overnight,” Le Roux told Air Cargo Week. “It’s a big operational challenge, and we had to recruit aggressively to meet the demand.”
For Scotland’s exporters, the route offers more than convenience; it means a step change in shelf life and market access. “Products like salmon and whisky now have direct access to the Far East without a 12- to 18-hour road journey to southern airports,” Le Roux explained. “That means additional shelf life for perishables, and faster time-to-market.”
To support the growth, PIK has already invested in new ground handling equipment and scaled up its workforce. “We’re well placed in terms of equipment, and while recruitment has been a challenge—especially in a region like the West of Scotland—we now have the capacity to handle current demand,” said Le Roux. “As volume grows, we’ll continue to expand. This is about long-term investment in infrastructure and people.”
On track for daily—and double-daily—freighters
The momentum isn’t slowing. “The two scheduled operators from the Far East are both planning to increase frequencies,” Le Roux revealed. “We expect to move to daily, and then double-daily freighter operations very soon.”
Celebrations for the launch took place at transport logistic in Munich, where the PIK and Air China Cargo teams officially marked the milestone. “It’s been very busy since we arrived,” Le Roux said from the event floor. “That’s a good sign, it’s busy, there’s strong interest, and it proves why this event is a must-attend for anyone serious about air cargo.”
With Air China Cargo basing operational and commercial teams at PIK, the move solidifies Glasgow Prestwick’s emergence as a viable gateway for East Asian trade, while laying down a marker for future trans-Eurasian logistics development.
