Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) is anticipating potentials with the UK-India Free Trade Agreement set to come into effect in APR26, and – to that end – recently invited the Consul General of India, Siddharth Malik, to view the premises and discuss UK-India trade. The airport invested GBP 1 million in 2025 on dedicated cool chain facilities, including four chillers with 87-tonne capacity, high-volume metal detectors, and temperature tracking systems. Earlier, in 2024-2025, it spent over GBP 2 million on cargo infrastructure, adding cold storage from -30°C to +25°C, high loaders (20-35 tons capacity), a Rapiscan X-ray machine, heavy-duty tractors, and dollies. The India Consul General together with Kevin Braidwood, Deputy Chief Executive, South Ayrshire Council, and the local authority’s Business Development Officer, Calum McPhail, were shown around the airport, where they were briefed on Prestwick’s offering for Indian businesses and Scottish exporters, including onsite bonded warehouse facilities and operational flexibility. Subsequent discussions centered around the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, and opportunities for Scottish trade including Scottish salmon exporters, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, and other perishable goods.
Jules Matteoni, Operations Director, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, commented: “This was a great opportunity to show the Consul General just how unique our cargo operations are. With our fully integrated, in-house model and recent investment in cool chain infrastructure, we are exceptionally well positioned to support the additional bilateral trade expected when the new UK-India trade agreement comes into force this summer.” Nico Le Roux, Cargo Business Development Director, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, said: “We are grateful to the Consul General for the valuable insights he shared on trade opportunities and the business culture in India. As we engage with partners at Air Cargo India, I look forward to continuing discussions with the Indian High Commission in Mumbai and in London to further promote Prestwick’s unique cargo capabilities and the advantages we can offer to businesses looking to strengthen UK-India trade links.”
