Latest news with #ChinaSouthernAirLogistics
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Prestwick Airport flights win and Royal Bank of Scotland journey
Ian Forgie, chief executive of Prestwick Airport, hailed this agreement with China Southern Air Logistics as a 'game changer'. In doing so, he echoed the phrase used by Nico Le Roux, head of cargo operations at Prestwick, about e-commerce flights in February, after the airport won major business from Hong Kong. It has been fascinating to observe, and write about, Prestwick Airport's big push on the cargo side of its business, and its focus on winning e-commerce traffic. Mr Le Roux in February revealed the airport's expectations that cargo revenues would more than treble to in excess of £10 million a year. He was speaking hours before the arrival of the first Hong Kong Air Cargo flight at Prestwick, bringing packages ordered by UK and Irish consumers on the likes of the Temu, SHEIN, and TikTok platforms. Cargo revenues at the airport, which is known officially as Glasgow Prestwick Airport, totalled £3.228 million in the year to March 31, 2024. Mr Le Roux revealed his expectation that cargo revenues would be more than treble that level in the airport's financial year to March 31, 2026, on the back of recent new business wins. The agreement between Prestwick Airport and China Southern Air Logistics has seen the carrier start scheduled cargo flights at four per week between Guangzhou and Prestwick, with plans for this to increase to a daily service. The first of these scheduled flights landed on May 16 at Prestwick Airport, which described the freighter services as 'a new direct export route to China from Scotland for high-value Scottish seafood and whisky'. Prestwick Airport, when it announced the arrival of China Southern Air Logistics on May 16, noted it had invested £2.3 million in equipment in the past 12 months. It also highlighted its continued investment in ground-handling equipment and cool chain supply facilities, as well as the building of its workforce, to maximise its capabilities in handling large freighters. The investment at Prestwick, which has included equipment to handle the wide-door Airbus A350 cargo aircraft, was plain in February when I went airside with Mr Le Roux. My subsequent column in The Herald on May 21 declared: 'It is most encouraging to see all the planning and investment at Prestwick Airport coming together.' It added: 'The airport makes a very important economic contribution to Ayrshire and more broadly to Scotland, one that is too often disregarded by the politically motivated carpers. These detractors also seem to forget that the airport supports an aerospace cluster in and around it which employs about 4,000 people, or maybe they just do not really care about this. 'Prestwick Airport's growing success is all the more reason for the Scottish Government to ensure that any sale is made with the future prosperity of this strategic asset, including on the employment front, in mind.' The column observed there was no reason to believe this would not be the case. When I asked Kate Forbes about the future of Prestwick Airport in April, in the wake of First Minister John Swinney confirming the existence of an 'active bid' in late March, she said: 'We have obviously saved Prestwick Airport more than a decade ago, precisely because of its strategic importance to the Scottish economy. 'If and when Prestwick is sold, it will be for the new owner to develop a business case.' Read more Deputy First Minister Ms Forbes, who highlighted Prestwick Airport's cargo operations, declared: 'We have set out very clear lines that we want Prestwick to continue to operate as an airport.' The institution formerly known as Royal Bank of Scotland (now NatWest Group) has also been in focus in the past month as it has headed towards full private ownership. In a column in The Herald, I reflected on having covered the institution's rollercoaster ride over the past three decades. This article addressed the 'perennial big question' in the mid-1990s, observing: 'Back in the mid-1990s, Royal Bank was progressing solidly but the big question which perennially hung over it, as it did over rival Bank of Scotland, was whether the institution would be swallowed up by one of the big London players.' The column went on to recall the frenetic bid battle to buy big four UK bank NatWest between these two Edinburgh clearing banks, in which Royal Bank of Scotland ultimately prevailed. The column highlighted the 'good times' that followed. It then recalled, in 2007, Royal Bank's hostile bid, in a consortium with Santander and Fortis, for Dutch bank ABN Amro. The column observed: 'By the time the acquisition of ABN Amro was completed by the Royal Bank consortium in October 2007, there had already been signs of what turned out to be the emergence of the global financial crisis that was going to take a lurch for the worse less than a year later with the collapse of US investment bank Lehman Brothers in September 2008.' In autumn 2008, Royal Bank had to be bailed out by the UK taxpayer, ultimately to the tune of £45.5 billion. The article noted: 'It was not entirely clear at the time but this was to mark the beginning of the end of Royal Bank being an institution based in Scotland.' Mulling the shift of control to London, the column observed: 'Stephen Hester succeeded Mr Goodwin as chief executive of Royal Bank amid the global financial crisis. He appeared acutely aware of Royal Bank's importance to Scotland, visiting The Herald's offices soon after taking up the role. New Zealander Ross McEwan then took up the top job in late 2013. 'There were signs that the nerve centre was gradually moving to London. However, it was only in the immediate wake of Alison Rose's appointment as chief executive in late 2019 that it could be stated definitively that this had happened. The key was that her contract stated she would be based in London. Paul Thwaite, who succeeded Dame Alison in summer 2023 and looks to have done a good job in raising the institution's profits, is also based in London and has made no bones about this.' In February 2020, not long after Dame Alison took the top job, a momentous name change was revealed. It was announced that Royal Bank of Scotland's name would be changed at parent company level to NatWest Group, and this took effect in July that year. The column concluded: 'Dame Alison, who joined NatWest as a graduate trainee, worked for the London bank at the time Royal Bank acquired it in 2000. 'With the confirmation of the move in where the bank was being run from and the name change, it looked as if things had turned very much full circle and, in terms of the London-Edinburgh dynamic, the boot was very much on the other foot.' This article was first published in The Herald's Business HQ Monthly supplement
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Prestwick Airport hails arrival of China Southern in 'first'
The agreement between the airport, which has been owned by the Scottish Government since 2013, and China Southern Air Logistics sees the carrier start scheduled cargo flights at four per week between Guangzhou and Prestwick, with plans for this to increase to a daily service. The first scheduled flight landed today at Prestwick Airport, which also flagged the new freighter services as 'a new direct export route to China from Scotland for high-value Scottish seafood and whisky'. The deal comes hard on the heels of Prestwick Airport winning major new ecommerce business from Hong Kong Air Cargo, which launched flights to and from the Ayrshire airport in February. The agreement with China Southern sees the airport, known officially as Glasgow Prestwick, doubling its current scheduled freighter movements. It was described as a 'game changer' by airport chief executive Ian Forgie. Mr Forgie said: 'This is welcome news. The airport team have been working hard over the last 12 months to showcase the Prestwick solution as an alternative cargo gateway into the UK, and the board is delighted that a flagship carrier, China Southern Air Logistics, has established a scheduled service from China to Prestwick.' He added: 'We anticipate this new trade route will grow rapidly in 2025 as Prestwick delivers on its plans and the market responds to an alternative cargo gateway into the UK and a new direct export route to China from Scotland for high-value Scottish seafood and whisky.' He revealed the airport is 'in discussions with other airlines' and expects 'to make further announcements soon'. Colin Dai, the airport's country sales director for Greater China, said 'The airport has a long history and reputation for handling wide-bodied freighters, providing fast aircraft turnaround and cargo handling, delivered through our in-house team.' He added: 'We are proud to announce this landmark agreement between China Southern Air Logistics and Glasgow Prestwick Airport, and I know there is a lot of excitement from both sides to see the success of these flights.' The airport noted it had invested £2.3 million in equipment in the last 12 months. It added that it was 'continuing to invest in ground-handling equipment and cool chain supply facilities as well as employing more staff', to maximise its capabilities in handling large freighters. Nico Le Roux, who heads Prestwick Airport's cargo operations, told The Herald in an exclusive interview in February that the airport expects to more than treble cargo revenues to in excess of £10m a year, viewing e-commerce flights as a 'game changer' after winning major business from Hong Kong. Read more And he flagged potential for Scottish seafood and whisky exports to be transported on the return legs from Prestwick to Hong Kong, and early success in this endeavour. The interview with Mr Le Roux, who has spent decades working in the air cargo industry, took place just hours before the overnight arrival of the first Hong Kong Air Cargo flight at Prestwick in February. He said: 'This new business is going to be a game changer for the airport. It will totally transform the airport basically.' Cargo revenues at the airport totalled £3.228m in the year to March 31, 2024. Mr Le Roux revealed his expectation that cargo revenues would be more than treble that level in the airport's financial year to March 31, 2026, on the back of recent business wins. He projected the workforce at Prestwick Airport would rise from 354 in February to around 400 on the back of the planned expansion of the cargo operations.
The Herald Scotland
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Prestwick Airport in major flights win from Air China
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.' Read more Flights win 'game changer' for Scottish airport North Sea row appears to be reaching boiling point Scottish Engineering chief issues stark warning on immigration Landmark Arran hotel reveals uplift after arrival of long-delayed ferry Does 'ferry fiasco' vessel offer hope for Arran? 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.'
The Herald Scotland
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
China Southern Air Logistics starts service to Prestwick
Scheduled cargo flights will start at four flights a week, with plans to increase to a daily service. The agreement means the airport doubles its current scheduled freighter movements, in a move described as a "game changer" by Prestwick's chief executive Ian Forgie. Read more: He said: 'This is welcome news. The airport team have been working hard over the last 12 months to showcase the Prestwick solution as an alternative cargo gateway into the UK, and the board is delighted that a flagship carrier China Southern Air Logistics has established a scheduled service from China to Prestwick. 'We anticipate this new trade route will grow rapidly in 2025 as Prestwick delivers on it plans and the market responds to an alternative cargo gateway into the UK and a new direct export route to China from Scotland for high value Scottish seafood and whisky. "We are in discussions with other airlines and expect to make further announcements soon." The Airport has invested £2.3 million in equipment in the last 12 months and is continuing to invest in ground handling equipment and cool chain supply facilities as well as employing more staff, to maximise its capabilities in handling large freighters. Colin Dai, the airport's country sales director for Greater China, said: 'The airport has a long history and reputation for handling wide bodied freighters, providing fast aircraft turnaround and cargo handling, delivered through our in-house team. 'We are proud to announce this landmark agreement between China Southern Air Logistics and Prestwick Airport, and I know there is a lot of excitement from both sides to see the success of these flights.'
The National
19-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Prestwick Airport launches direct cargo route from Scotland to China
China Southern Air Logistics and Glasgow Prestwick Airport have revealed that the cargo flights from Guangzhou to Prestwick started this month. The first scheduled flight landed in Prestwick on May 16. The agreement will initially see four flights a week, with plans to increase to a daily service. This will double the airport's current scheduled freighter movements. Ian Forgie, chief executive of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, has described the agreement as a "game changer." He said: "This is welcome news. "The airport team has been working hard over the last 12 months to showcase the Prestwick solution as an alternative cargo gateway into the UK, and the board is delighted that a flagship carrier, China Southern Air Logistics, has established a scheduled service from China to Prestwick. "We anticipate this new trade route will grow rapidly in 2025 as Prestwick delivers on its plans and the market responds to an alternative cargo gateway into the UK and a new direct export route to China from Scotland for high-value Scottish seafood and whisky. "We are in discussions with other airlines and expect to make further announcements soon." The airport has invested £2.3 million in equipment over the last year and continues to invest in ground handling equipment and cool chain supply facilities, as well as employing more staff, to maximise its capabilities in handling large freighters. Colin Dai, country sales director for Greater China at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, said: "The airport has a long history and reputation for handling wide-bodied freighters, providing fast aircraft turnaround and cargo handling, delivered through our in-house team. "We are proud to announce this landmark agreement between China Southern Air Logistics and Glasgow Prestwick Airport, and I know there is a lot of excitement from both sides to see the success of these flights."
