Major global flag carrier airline attracted to Scottish airport

Glasgow Times

2 days ago

Prestwick Airport, owned by the Scottish Government, has revealed another major airline win.
It has today announced the start of a scheduled Air China Cargo freighter service from Guangzhou to Prestwick.
This has launched with three flights per week, with the first of the flights receiving the traditional 'water cannon welcome' as it landed at the airport this morning.
These new flights mean there will now be seven freighter flights per week between China and Prestwick.
Prestwick Airport's chief executive, Ian Forgie, declared today he is 'excited to see the possibilities for Scottish exporters'.
Only last month, Prestwick Airport, which has been owned by the Scottish Government since 2013 and was confirmed in late March by First Minister John Swinney to be the subject of an 'active bid', announced a deal with China Southern Air Logistics. China Southern on May 16 started scheduled cargo flights at four per week between Guangzhou and Prestwick, with plans for this to increase to a daily service.
The airport, known officially as Glasgow Prestwick, today highlighted potential for the Air China Cargo service to also increase in frequency.
It said: 'The new service commences with three flights per week, with the expectations this will grow over time and means there will be seven freighter flights per week between China and Glasgow Prestwick.'
Arrival of the first Air China Cargo flight (Image: Prestwick Airport)
Mr Forgie said: 'We are delighted to announce Air China Cargo has chosen Glasgow Prestwick Airport as its UK freighter base. This really is an endorsement of Prestwick's exceptional cargo handling capabilities and the service that our team deliver.'
He added: 'With the addition of the three new Air China Cargo flights we now have seven flights a week between China and Glasgow Prestwick. We are excited to see the possibilities for Scottish exporters as we hope the return flights will become a strong trade lane between Scotland and Greater China and an alternative cargo gateway to and from the UK.'
Air China Cargo will base an operational and commercial team at Prestwick Airport to develop its UK freighter operations and support the service.
Nico Le Roux, business development director and head of cargo operations at Prestwick Airport, said: 'We are grateful for the strong working relationship we have with Air China Cargo and the possibilities this scheduled freighter service offers to our cargo hub.
'Our investment in our cargo-handling facilities and partnerships with leading last mile providers has paid off, and we are excited to develop this service alongside Air China Cargo in the coming months.'
Colin Dai, Prestwick Airport's country sales director for Greater China, said: 'The launch of Air China Cargo's first scheduled freighter service between China and the UK is a proud milestone for Glasgow Prestwick Airport.
'As China's national flag carrier, Air China Cargo's decision to operate direct flights between Guangzhou and Glasgow Prestwick is a strong vote of confidence in our capabilities and ambition to become the UK's leading gateway for East Asia trade. We are honoured to partner with such a prestigious airline and look forward to building a strong, long-term relationship together.'