Glasgow Prestwick Airport has marked one year since China Southern Air Logistics launched scheduled freighter services between Guangzhou and Prestwick, creating the first direct scheduled cargo route between China and Scotland.

The service, which operates four flights a week, has supported a year of cargo growth at Prestwick and strengthened the airport’s role as a UK gateway for Asian e-commerce and Scottish exports.

“China Southern Air Logistics’ first year at Prestwick has shown the value of direct, reliable cargo links between Scotland and China,” said Ian Forgie, Chief Executive Officer, Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

“The service has supported faster and more resilient routes for e-commerce and high-value Scottish exports, while helping us create local jobs, invest in specialist handling, and build a thriving hub for UK trade with one of the world’s largest logistics markets.”

The anniversary follows several cargo milestones for Prestwick, including more than 25 million e-commerce parcels processed through its Terminal E facility, more than 250 direct jobs created through cargo growth, and one million kilograms of Scottish salmon exports since the beginning of the year.

Prestwick has also expanded its scheduled cargo network over the past year, with Air China Cargo increasing its Chengdu service to daily flights and Ethiopian Airlines adding three weekly Hong Kong cargo flights.

The airport now handles 15 scheduled services a week to and from mainland China, alongside additional Hong Kong capacity, supporting inbound e-commerce volumes and outbound Scottish exports including salmon, seafood, and whisky.

Prestwick’s cargo growth has been supported by investment in specialist equipment, dedicated cool chain personnel, and temperature-controlled facilities, including 87 tonnes of chiller capacity for time sensitive exports.

Jules Matteoni, Director of Operations, and Nico Le Roux, Business Development Director, met with crew of the anniversary flight to celebrate the milestone.