Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK)’s e-commerce focus has resulted in another win. What began with the first dedicated e-commerce flight operated by Silk Way West Airlines back in DEC24, (CFG reported), and was quickly followed by the first Far East airline in FEB25, when Hong Kong Air Cargo premiered its e-commerce transport to the Scottish Airport (CFG reported), has now grown into a strong, regular operation with 15 weekly flights to and from mainland China and three from Hong Kong (HKG).
And a leading African cargo carrier has now linked up to the Scottish e-commerce logistics network: Ethiopian Airlines announced this week that it will operate three times a week between HKG and PIK. The import cargo flights will depart from HKG on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, securing regular e-commerce connections and reinforcing PIK’s ambition to become the UK cargo gateway for Asian trade. PIK has built up a strong cooperation with Royal Mail and EVRi, to secure national deliveries across the UK, which resulted in the creation of 250 new jobs and has already passed the milestone of 25 million e-commerce parcels (CFG reported). It predicts that its growth in long haul cargo services will facilitate up to GBP 250 million in cross border trade.
Ian Forgie, Chief Executive Officer, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, commented: “These new flights mark a significant step in scaling Prestwick’s e-commerce operation, with Hong Kong now a key inbound gateway into our network. 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.”
Nico Le Roux, Business Development Director, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, added: “This service demonstrates how regional airports can rebalance global flows, pairing inbound e-commerce with outbound premium exports to improve utilization and strengthen supply chain resilience. 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.”
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew, stated: “Ethiopian Airlines’ new thrice-weekly cargo service between Hong Kong and Glasgow Prestwick is a significant boost to the 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.”
