What happened
Glasgow Prestwick Airport said Air China Cargo has increased its Chengdu service from four flights a week to a daily operation. The route links Prestwick with Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and strengthens Scotland's direct cargo connection with a major hub serving southwestern China.
Trade impact
The airport said the route provides an entry point for Scottish exports including salmon, seafood and whisky. Prestwick added that Air China Cargo's daily schedule lifts the airport's total number of direct scheduled cargo flights to China to 15, with the trade routes expected to support more than GBP 250 million of cross-border trade in 2026.
Wider cargo growth
Prestwick said it also handles a further four China flights a week for China Southern Air Logistics. Regional director Colin Dai described Chengdu as one of western China's most important logistics hubs and said daily connectivity would support both premium Scottish exports and faster imports from one of China's most dynamic manufacturing regions. The airport added that recent cargo growth has created more than 250 direct jobs.
