Air China Cargo will operate a new scheduled freighter service from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Glasgow Prestwick (PIK), strengthening China-UK trade.
Prestwick stated that Air China Cargo is switching three of its four weekly Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) services to PVG, while continuing to operate 11 scheduled flights each week to and from PIK.
The new PVG-PIK route will give Scottish exporters access to one of Asia’s leading freight hubs, as well as diversify Prestwick’s network, said the airport.
“Shanghai is a major global cargo hub and an important addition to Prestwick’s scheduled China services,” said Ian Forgie, chief executive, Glasgow Prestwick.
“This new route gives cargo customers more choice across mainland China and strengthens our ability to support fast-growing e-commerce traffic into the UK.
“It also opens a valuable new trade lane for Scottish exporters, including producers moving premium seafood and other time-sensitive goods into Asia.”
The new service follows a year of sustained cargo growth at Prestwick, with 15 weekly scheduled services now operating to and from mainland China and three from Hong Kong.
Prestwick has celebrated processing more than 25m e-commerce parcels with Royal Mail and EVRi since May last year, and recently marked more than one million kilograms of Scottish salmon exported since 1st January 2026.
In March, Air China Cargo expanded its operation between Chengdu and Prestwick to daily on the back of rising demand.
Air China Cargo is growing its fleet to match its expanding network. The airline recently confirmed a purchase agreement for four A350 freighters to add to its existing order of six.
