Air China Cargo expands UK–China freight link with daily Glasgow Prestwick service

Subtitle
Growing demand for e-commerce and premium Scottish exports is driving increased cargo capacity between China and the United Kingdom.

Category
Air Cargo / Trade Routes / Logistics Infrastructure

Article

Air China Cargo has increased its freighter operations between Chengdu and Glasgow Prestwick Airport to daily flights, responding to rising cargo demand between China and the United Kingdom.

The route, linking Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport with Prestwick, previously operated four times per week before the frequency increase.

The service primarily transports e-commerce shipments from China, while return flights carry Scottish exports including salmon, seafood and whisky.

Prestwick Airport said the expanded service will bring the total number of scheduled cargo flights between the airport and China to 15 per week, supporting more than £250 million in bilateral trade expected in 2026.

Air China Cargo first launched operations to Prestwick in June 2025.

Airport chief executive Ian Forgie said the move reflects growing demand for direct logistics connectivity between the UK and China.

“Prestwick is increasingly recognised by international carriers as a strategic cargo gateway linking the UK with key Chinese logistics hubs,” he said.

Colin Dai, the airport’s regional director for Asia, highlighted the importance of Chengdu within China’s logistics network.

“Chengdu is one of the most important logistics hubs in western China and a critical gateway to the country’s southwestern regions,” he said.

The daily connection will allow Scottish exporters to deliver premium products to Chinese markets more quickly while ensuring efficient import flows into the UK.

Last month, Prestwick Airport also reported handling 25 million parcels through its Terminal E facility, underlining the growing importance of the airport as a cargo hub.