One million pounds is a significant investment for an airport to make in equipment and facilities yet pit that value against last year’s Scottish Salmon export business to China, which came in at a staggering GBP 76 million, it seems a mere drop in the ocean (pardon the pun!). China is Scotland’s third-largest export market for Salmon and that incredible figure (translating into around 8,175 tons) is the result of a 60% increase in business compared to 2023. So, Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK)’s million-pound investment is definitely up for some decent returns – particularly since it has gone into ensuring a dedicated cool chain team, dedicated seafood export facility (for exports to China and mainland Europe), and new equipment including high-volume metal detectors, temperature exposure and tracking systems, and four chillers with an 87-ton capacity. Business sense combines with environmental common sense: PIK is close to the fish farms where, previously, seafood producers had to truck shipments to London for international transport. They can now vastly reduce their Farm-to-Flight transit times (and their trucking costs), by shipping through their local airport. Win-win all round – an 18-hour shelf-life extension and far fewer CO2 emissions.
In conjunction with launching its new Scotland to China seafood export service, PIK was visited by Tavish Scott, Chief Executive of Salmon Scotland, to see the facility at first hand and promote the Scotland to China perishable export service. He commented. “The new, dedicated service from Glasgow Prestwick Airport strengthens our ability to meet growing demand in China and across Asia, while supporting jobs and communities in Scotland’s coastal and rural areas. This investment is a welcome boost to our sector and will support Scotland’s already exemplary export performance.”
Ian Forgie, Chief Executive Officer, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, stated: “The value of Scottish salmon exports reached a record GBP 844 million in 2024, with the Chinese market growing by 60% in value and 107% in volume. Our in-house expertise coupled with our significant investment, makes PIK a standout hub for the Scottish seafood industry and we are prepared to meet growing demand. Creating a cool chain solution at PIK is a game-changer for Scottish seafood producers. PIK’s facilities make it an attractive destination for Chinese freighters, and the benefits of eight weekly flights to Asia make exporting perishables from PIK, rather than from London airports, an easy decision for the Scottish seafood industry to make.”
