Glasgow Prestwick Airport
Glasgow Prestwick Airport runs 24/7 cargo operations and has no flight restrictions. The northern UK hub’s extensive road, rail, and ferry connections, make it a hub of choice for e-commerce operations seeking unrestricted services.
visit glasgowprestwick.com
Crew of the inaugural Air China Cargo service from Ürümqi Tianshan International Airport (URC) to Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK).
To view and download more images click the “image and files” tab.
AIR CHINA CARGO LAUNCHES NEW WEEKLY SERVICE FROM ÜRÜMQI TIANSHAN TO GLASGOW PRESTWICK
New twice weekly service diversifies Prestwick’s direct cargo links with China and provides Scottish exporters with access to Northwest China
Prestwick, Glasgow, United Kingdom, Monday 14th September 2026: Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) has announced a new direct cargo route to Ürümqi Tianshan International Airport (URC), diversifying its China network and giving Scottish exporters access to China’s Northwest.
The new service, which commenced on Sunday 13th September, will operate twice a week, adding to Air China’s existing connections from PIK to Guangzhou Baiyun International (CAN), Chengdu (CTU), and Shanghai (PVG).
“Air China’s decision to add Ürümqi to its Prestwick network is another important step in a partnership that has grown significantly in a relatively short period of time,” said Jules Matteoni, Chief Executive Officer, Glasgow Prestwick Airport.
“We have worked closely with Air China to understand exactly what they need from Prestwick and where we can support the continued development of their operations.
“The addition of another two weekly flights reflects the trust that has been built between our teams and, importantly, creates a direct trade lane between Scotland and a new region of China.”
New links to China’s Northwest will support the airport’s seafood export service, which saw 1.78 million kilograms of Scottish salmon exported in the first six months of the year, with PIK continuing to expand its cool chain capabilities.
“Ürümqi opens up new opportunities for Scottish and UK exporters, particularly the salmon and seafood sector and Scottish whisky, where speed, reliability, and specialist handling are critical,” said Colin Dai, Regional Director – Asia, Glasgow Prestwick Airport.
“We want Prestwick to be an airport where our airline partners can grow with confidence.
“Air China’s continued investment in its network here shows what can be achieved when we work together to develop routes that make commercial sense for the airline, the airport, and the Scottish and UK businesses that rely on regular uplift and connectivity.”
This new route follows a year of sustained cargo growth at PIK, with 16 weekly scheduled services now operating to and from mainland China, cargo tonnage quadrupling year-on-year, and the airport reporting its seventh consecutive profitable year.
About Glasgow Prestwick Airport
Glasgow Prestwick Airport runs 24/7 cargo operations and has no restrictions or curfews on inbound or outbound flights, offering a fully in-house service, from cargo handling to aircraft fuelling.
Our uncongested air and ground paths mean less taxiing, less vectoring, and fewer emissions, and with no slot or gate constraints, we are a natural choice for e-commerce flights.
We average a two hour turn around for a wide-bodied freighter aircraft after arrival, and can deliver a B747 full palletised offload onto trucks to arrive in Manchester within six hours of landing.
We have over 12,000 square meters of warehouse space opening onto cargo apron, new cold storage facilities with a controlled range of -30C to +25C and our dedicated live animal team and on-site stables mean that we can welcome horses.
Our warehouse screening options, which include a new Rapiscan X-ray machine with 7.5mm steel penetration, as well as the option to work with canines, allow us to handle of all types of cargo, including seven classes of Dangerous Goods, with specialised handling for Class1, as well as oversized cargo for the oil and gas, aerospace, and live touring industries.
Glasgow Prestwick Airport boasts the longest commercial runway north of Manchester, which can accommodate the AN124, and offers direct links to the UK’s motorway network, as well as its own cargo railway siding, and easy access to nearby ferry services to Ireland.
Its west of Scotland location on the Great Circle route, between the Middle East and the USA, makes Prestwick an effective bedrock of any transportation plan.
For more information, visit glasgowprestwick.com
Latest from Glasgow Prestwick Airport
Plain text Press Release
All formatting has been removed. Click on the text to select all and copy to your heart’s content!
Air China Cargo launches new weekly service from Ürümqi Tianshan to Glasgow Prestwick
New twice weekly service diversifies Prestwick’s direct cargo links with China and provides Scottish exporters with access to Northwest China
Prestwick, Glasgow, United Kingdom, Monday 14th September 2026: Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) has announced a new direct cargo route to Ürümqi Tianshan International Airport (URC), diversifying its China network and giving Scottish exporters access to China’s Northwest.
The new service, which commenced on Sunday 13th September, will operate twice a week, adding to Air China’s existing connections from PIK to Guangzhou Baiyun International (CAN), Chengdu (CTU), and Shanghai (PVG).
“Air China’s decision to add Ürümqi to its Prestwick network is another important step in a partnership that has grown significantly in a relatively short period of time,” said Jules Matteoni, Chief Executive Officer, Glasgow Prestwick Airport.
“We have worked closely with Air China to understand exactly what they need from Prestwick and where we can support the continued development of their operations.
“The addition of another two weekly flights reflects the trust that has been built between our teams and, importantly, creates a direct trade lane between Scotland and a new region of China.”
New links to China’s Northwest will support the airport’s seafood export service, which saw 1.78 million kilograms of Scottish salmon exported in the first six months of the year, with PIK continuing to expand its cool chain capabilities.
“Ürümqi opens up new opportunities for Scottish and UK exporters, particularly the salmon and seafood sector and Scottish whisky, where speed, reliability, and specialist handling are critical,” said Colin Dai, Regional Director – Asia, Glasgow Prestwick Airport.
“We want Prestwick to be an airport where our airline partners can grow with confidence.
“Air China’s continued investment in its network here shows what can be achieved when we work together to develop routes that make commercial sense for the airline, the airport, and the Scottish and UK businesses that rely on regular uplift and connectivity.”
This new route follows a year of sustained cargo growth at PIK, with 16 weekly scheduled services now operating to and from mainland China, cargo tonnage quadrupling year-on-year, and the airport reporting its seventh consecutive profitable year.
Latest from Glasgow Prestwick Airport
About Glasgow Prestwick Airport
Glasgow Prestwick Airport runs 24/7 cargo operations and has no restrictions or curfews on inbound or outbound flights, offering a fully in-house service, from cargo handling to aircraft fuelling.
Our uncongested air and ground paths mean less taxiing, less vectoring, and fewer emissions, and with no slot or gate constraints, we are a natural choice for e-commerce flights.
We average a two hour turn around for a wide-bodied freighter aircraft after arrival, and can deliver a B747 full palletised offload onto trucks to arrive in Manchester within six hours of landing.
We have over 12,000 square meters of warehouse space opening onto cargo apron, new cold storage facilities with a controlled range of -30C to +25C and our dedicated live animal team and on-site stables mean that we can welcome horses.
Our warehouse screening options, which include a new Rapiscan X-ray machine with 7.5mm steel penetration, as well as the option to work with canines, allow us to handle of all types of cargo, including seven classes of Dangerous Goods, with specialised handling for Class1, as well as oversized cargo for the oil and gas, aerospace, and live touring industries.
Glasgow Prestwick Airport boasts the longest commercial runway north of Manchester, which can accommodate the AN124, and offers direct links to the UK’s motorway network, as well as its own cargo railway siding, and easy access to nearby ferry services to Ireland.
Its west of Scotland location on the Great Circle route, between the Middle East and the USA, makes Prestwick an effective bedrock of any transportation plan.
For more information, visit glasgowprestwick.com