‍GLASGOW — China Southern Air Logistics and Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) have launched the first direct cargo route between China and Scotland. 

The first scheduled flight successfully landed at PIK on May 16, 2025. Initially, they plan to operate four freighter flights per week, which will soon increase to daily. 

Prestwick Airport has invested £2.3 million to facilitate the growth of the airport and its infrastructure to improve cargo handling capabilities. 

Key Investments

• Two high loaders with a capacity of 20-30 tonnes for enabling fast handling of large freighters 
• A Rapiscan X-ray machine 
• Cold storage facilities ranging from -30°C to +25°C.
• Heavy-duty pull-back tractors 
• Addition of new dollies

Comments from Airport Officials

The CEO of PIK described this agreement as a game-changer. He said the airport team has been working for the past 12 months to make this airport an alternative solution for the CA Argos gateway in the UK. We are delighted to have a flagship carrier, China Southern Airlines (CZ), for scheduling its operations at the airport. 

Colin Dai, country sales director for Greater China at PIK, said that the airport can handle wide-body freighter aircraft with a fast turnaround by its in-house team. 

This new route will allow the export of high-value Scottish products like seafood or whiskey directly into the Chinese Market. This route has been significantly enhanced to offer an alternative gateway for air cargo between the UK and the Chinese market.