Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) is boosting efforts to grow Scotland’s international export flows with the appointment of Paul McGrattan as its new Trade and Export Development Manager. The move is part of the airport’s strategy to enhance its commercial capabilities and increase its outbound cargo operations.

In his new role, McGrattan will focus on growing export volumes by working closely with Scottish exporters, freight forwarders and airline partners. One of the main priorities will be to increase cargo load factors on flights returning east from Prestwick, making better use of capacity that is currently available.

The appointment is timely as the airport is making progress in building significant inbound cargo volumes. The next step to optimize its existing air freight network is the development of outbound traffic, said Jules Matteoni, Chief Executive Officer of Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

“We have developed a strong inbound cargo base at Prestwick and the next step is to make better use of the capacity available on outbound flights,” said Matteoni.

He also pointed to McGrattan’s grasp of the freight forwarding and shipper markets, which will be crucial in spotting new export opportunities among Scottish firms. In particular, we will focus on seafood and other perishable commodities that need rapid movement.

The airport has identified a number of priority commodities for its eastbound return services including seafood, pharmaceuticals, whiskey and other premium export goods.

McGrattan will be working directly with business to meet their international logistics needs and link Scottish products with overseas markets. He stressed the importance of combining high quality goods, reliable air cargo capacity and the right connections.

“Scotland has quality products that are in demand overseas but exporters need to have the right connections and reliable capacity to get them there quickly,” said Paul McGrattan, Trade and Export Development Manager, Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

Prestwick already runs a busy weekly freighter service with China and Scotland. The airline operates direct cargo services to Urumqi (URC), Guangzhou (CAN), Chengdu (CTU) and Shanghai (PVG).

Also, this operation against China has given a basis for the development of the airport’s seafood export. Scotland’s Glasgow Prestwick launched a dedicated seafood export service to China in September 2025. By May 2026, the airport had handled more than one million kilograms of Scottish salmon.

With McGrattan's appointment, PIK wants to build on this existing traffic and develop more export opportunities, particularly by bringing more Scottish products onto its eastbound freighter services as they return.