Air China Cargo has increased its service between Glasgow Prestwick Airport and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport to daily flights, up from four per week, with effect from 15MAR26. The expanded schedule significantly strengthens Scotland’s airfreight connectivity with southwestern China, a key gateway for regional and international trade. The route plays a vital role in supporting Scotland’s export economy, particularly for high-value goods such as salmon, seafood, and whisky – core commodities in the China–UK trade corridor. The increase in frequency underscores the growing demand for direct air cargo capacity between the two markets.Aviation
Glasgow Prestwick Airport’s continued cargo growth follows several milestones, including the recent handling of 25 million parcels at its Terminal E facility alongside partners Royal Mail and EVRi. This expansion has helped create more than 250 direct jobs locally. Prestwick’s contribution to strengthening UK–China trade was also recognized with the “China Welcome of the Year” award at the China Scotland Business Awards. Together with China Southern Air Logistics, which operates four weekly flights, Air China Cargo’s new schedule raises Prestwick’s total direct cargo connections to China to 15 services per week – supporting an estimated GBP 250 million in cross-border trade during 2026.
Ian Forgie, Chief Executive Officer, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, said: “The move to daily flights to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport reflects the strength of demand for direct cargo connectivity between the UK and China. Prestwick is increasingly recognized by international carriers as a strategic cargo gateway linking the United Kingdom with key Chinese logistics hubs, enabling Scottish exporters to reach major regional markets quickly and reliably.”
Colin Dai, Regional Director, Asia, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, added: “Chengdu is one of the most important logistics hubs in western China, and a critical gateway into the southwestern regions of the country. Daily connectivity enables Scottish exporters to move premium products such as salmon, seafood, and whisky into China while also supporting faster and more reliable imports into Scotland from one of China’s most dynamic manufacturing regions.”
Credits: Air China Cargo
