Glasgow Prestwick Airport has added a new scheduled cargo route from Hong Kong operated by Ethiopian Airlines, marking a strategic expansion of the Scottish airport’s Asian connectivity and e-commerce handling capacity.
The three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays complement Prestwick’s existing 15 weekly services to and from mainland China, positioning the airport as a growing UK gateway for Asian cargo flows.
Hong Kong route targets e-commerce growth
Ethiopian Airlines will deploy freighter aircraft on the new Hong Kong-Prestwick service, designed specifically to handle rising volumes of cross-border e-commerce shipments entering the UK market. The flights arrive into Prestwick’s purpose-built e-commerce facility, which has already processed more than 25 million parcels since opening.
Ian Forgie, Chief Executive Officer at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, described the launch as a significant step in scaling the airport’s e-commerce operations. “By introducing a purpose-built, fast-track cargo handling model for e-commerce, we’re setting a new benchmark for speed and efficiency, enabling goods to move through the airport faster than at other hubs and reach end customers more quickly and reliably,” Forgie said.
Royal Mail and EVRi celebrated the 25 millionth parcel milestone at Prestwick earlier this year, underscoring the facility’s role in handling high-volume parcel flows. The airport operates 24/7 with no flight restrictions or curfews, offering wide-bodied freighters an average two-hour turnaround and six-hour delivery to Manchester for palletised cargo.
Outbound export lanes to South Korea and Vietnam
The Hong Kong service isn’t just about inbound e-commerce. Prestwick and Ethiopian Airlines have structured the route to create new export lanes to South Korea and Vietnam, giving Scottish exporters direct access to high-growth Asian markets without multi-leg routings through European hubs.
Nico Le Roux, Business Development Director at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, highlighted the balanced approach. “This service demonstrates how regional airports can rebalance global flows, pairing inbound e-commerce with outbound premium exports to improve utilisation and strengthen supply chain resilience,” Le Roux said. “New routes to South Korea and Vietnam also give Scottish exporters more direct access to high growth markets and a more efficient routing model for global logistics partners.”
Prestwick operates dedicated cool-chain facilities with temperature ranges from -30°C to +25°C across more than 12,000 square metres of warehouse space. These facilities serve Scottish salmon exporters, pharmaceutical manufacturers, life sciences companies, and other perishable goods shippers requiring strict temperature control and fast connections.
Forwarders managing complex multi-leg shipments or door-to-door moves can compare rates and route options across carriers to optimise cost and transit time for Asian export lanes.
Economic impact and job creation
The expansion of cargo services at Prestwick has created over 250 direct jobs in warehousing, handling, customs clearance, and logistics coordination. The airport expects the Hong Kong service and broader Asian connectivity to facilitate up to £250 million in cross-border trade annually.
Prestwick has been shortlisted for Air Freight Business of the Year at the Multimodal Awards and named a finalist in the Airport of the Year – Regional Cargo Hub category at the World Air Cargo Awards, reflecting industry recognition of its cargo infrastructure and operational performance.
Ethiopian Airlines expands UK network
For Ethiopian Airlines, the Prestwick service extends its UK cargo footprint beyond London and adds a strategic node in Scotland for connecting Asian and African flows. The carrier operates a fleet of 170 aircraft serving more than 150 destinations globally, with 65+ destinations in Africa accessible via its Addis Ababa hub.
Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, said the new thrice-weekly cargo service between Hong Kong and Glasgow Prestwick represents a significant boost to e-commerce operations between the two airports. “As a global airline growing its network in both regions, we are delighted to launch the new thrice weekly flights and be part of the link,” Tasew said.
Industry perspective: regional airports and cargo rebalancing
The Hong Kong-Prestwick launch demonstrates how regional airports can carve out cargo niches by pairing inbound e-commerce flows with outbound premium exports, creating balanced capacity utilisation and competitive positioning against congested southern hubs.
Prestwick’s 24/7 operations, fast turnaround times, and specialised cool-chain infrastructure offer forwarders and exporters a viable alternative to capacity-constrained airports. The airport’s investment in dedicated e-commerce handling and fast-track processing directly addresses the speed and reliability demands of cross-border parcel volumes.
For Scottish exporters of time-sensitive goods like salmon and pharmaceuticals, the new Asian lanes reduce reliance on multi-leg routings through European gateways, cutting transit time and improving product quality on arrival. The availability of direct connections to South Korea and Vietnam opens high-growth markets that previously required complex consolidation and routing models.
The economic impact extends beyond cargo volumes. Over 250 direct jobs and £250 million in expected trade value show how targeted route development can generate regional employment and commercial activity. Prestwick’s recognition as a finalist in multiple industry awards validates its operational model and market positioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What routes does Ethiopian Airlines operate from Hong Kong to Prestwick?
Ethiopian Airlines operates three weekly cargo flights from Hong Kong to Glasgow Prestwick Airport on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. The service connects Hong Kong with Prestwick and provides onward connections to South Korea, Vietnam, and African destinations via Ethiopian’s Addis Ababa hub.
What types of cargo does Prestwick handle?
Prestwick handles inbound e-commerce parcels and outbound premium exports including Scottish salmon, pharmaceuticals, life sciences products, and other temperature-sensitive perishables. The airport operates dedicated cool-chain facilities with temperature ranges from -30°C to +25°C across more than 12,000 square metres of warehouse space.
How many cargo flights does Prestwick operate to Asia?
Prestwick currently operates 15 weekly flights to and from mainland China plus three additional weekly flights from Hong Kong, totalling 18 weekly Asian cargo services. The airport also offers new export routes to South Korea and Vietnam via the Ethiopian Airlines network.
How quickly can cargo move through Prestwick?
Prestwick averages a two-hour turnaround for wide-bodied freighter aircraft and delivers full palletised offloads from a B747 to Manchester within six hours. The airport operates 24/7 with no flight restrictions or curfews, enabling fast-track cargo processing for time-sensitive shipments.
How many jobs has Prestwick’s cargo growth created?
The expansion of cargo services at Glasgow Prestwick Airport has created over 250 direct jobs in handling, warehousing, customs clearance, and logistics coordination. The airport expects its Asian cargo services to facilitate up to £250 million in cross-border trade annually.
Regional cargo hubs and competitive routing
Forwarders managing multi-leg shipments or complex routings benefit from airports like Prestwick that offer specialised handling, fast turnarounds, and balanced inbound-outbound flows. The ability to quote door-to-door options alongside airport-to-airport moves gives forwarders flexibility to meet customer requirements without sacrificing margin.
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