Prestwick Airport Adds Ethiopian Hong Kong Cargo Flights, Glasgow 2026

Key Points

• Glasgow Prestwick Airport has secured three new weekly cargo flights with Ethiopian Airlines from Hong Kong, operating on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
• The service strengthens the airport’s role as a cargo gateway linking Asian trade with the United Kingdom and boosts e-commerce volumes.
• Ian Forgie, Chief Executive Officer of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, stated: “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.”
• The airport has introduced a purpose-built, fast-track cargo handling model for e-commerce to enhance speed and efficiency.
• Recent growth includes Royal Mail and Evri handling 25 million parcels, creating over 250 direct jobs.
• Nico Le Roux, Business Development Director, noted: “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.”
• New routes to South Korea and Vietnam provide Scottish exporters access to high-growth markets.
• Prestwick handles 15 flights to and from mainland China, now adding three from Hong Kong; expansion supports up to GBP 250 million in cross-border trade.
• Mesfin Tasew of Ethiopian Airlines said: “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.”
• Sectors like salmon exports, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences benefit from cold chain infrastructure.
• Prestwick shortlisted for Air Freight Business of the Year at the Multimodal Awards.

Glasgow (Glasgow Express) April 23, 2026 –

Glasgow Prestwick Airport has launched three new weekly cargo flights operated by Ethiopian Airlines from Hong Kong, marking a key expansion in its long-haul cargo network. The service, running on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, positions the airport as a vital link for Asian trade into the UK, particularly for e-commerce goods. This development builds on the airport’s recent cargo growth and supports sectors such as exports and pharmaceuticals.

What New Cargo Routes Has Glasgow Prestwick Airport Introduced?

The new Ethiopian Airlines flights connect Hong Kong directly to Glasgow Prestwick, adding to the airport’s existing 15 weekly flights to and from mainland China. As reported in LogUpdateAfrica by an unnamed correspondent, the expansion is expected to facilitate up to GBP 250 million in cross-border trade annually. Ian Forgie, Chief Executive Officer of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, explained:

“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 at the airport, highlighted the strategic pairing of inbound e-commerce with outbound exports. He stated:

“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.”

This service underscores Prestwick’s focus on rebalancing global cargo flows through regional airports.

How Does This Boost E-Commerce at Prestwick?

E-commerce operations at Glasgow Prestwick have seen substantial growth, with Royal Mail and Evri recently marking 25 million parcels handled at the facility. The influx of cargo activity from these partnerships has generated more than 250 direct jobs in the region. The Hong Kong flights are anticipated to further scale these operations, with Hong Kong emerging as a primary inbound gateway.

As noted by Mesfin Tasew of Ethiopian Airlines:

“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.”

The airport’s fast-track handling model prioritises rapid processing, allowing goods to reach UK customers faster than at larger hubs.

Prestwick’s infrastructure supports this growth, including cold chain facilities for temperature-sensitive items ranging from -30°C to +25°C, as mentioned in Multimodal coverage of prior investments. These capabilities benefit pharmaceuticals, life sciences, and fresh exports like salmon.

Which Sectors Benefit from Prestwick’s Cargo Expansion?

Key beneficiaries include Scottish salmon exporters, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences firms, leveraging the airport’s specialised handling and cold chain services. The new routes enable efficient outbound shipments to Asia, complementing inbound e-commerce. Prestwick’s model pairs these flows to optimise aircraft utilisation and enhance supply chain resilience.

The airport has previously welcomed similar services, such as Hong Kong Air Cargo flights starting in February 2025, which carried up to 60 tonnes per flight from platforms like SHEIN, Temu, and TikTok. This pattern continues with Ethiopian Airlines, reinforcing Prestwick’s role in UK-Asia trade.

Additionally, routes to South Korea and Vietnam open doors for exporters, while existing China links—now bolstered—handle premium goods like whisky and produce.

What Recognition Has Prestwick Received in Air Freight?

Glasgow Prestwick Airport has been shortlisted for Air Freight Business of the Year at the Multimodal Awards, reflecting its cargo achievements. Earlier, it won Air Freight Business of the Year at the Logistics UK Awards in December 2025, recognising sustained growth, new partnerships, and investments.

As reported by Travel Radar, the award followed expansions like 16 weekly freighters to Chinese cities including Chengdu, Guangzhou, and Zhengzhou. These accolades highlight Prestwick’s emergence as a leading UK cargo hub outside major airports.

The recent Beijing Capital Airlines service, the third new cargo airline in six months, further demonstrates this trajectory, with four weekly Airbus A330 freighters to Zhengzhou.

Background of the Development

Glasgow Prestwick Airport’s cargo expansion stems from a long-term strategy to position itself as a UK gateway for Asia-Europe trade, particularly e-commerce and high-value exports. Investments in cold chain infrastructure and in-house handling began several years ago, enabling services for perishable goods like salmon and pharmaceuticals. Partnerships with Royal Mail and Evri in recent years processed 25 million parcels, creating 250 jobs and laying groundwork for long-haul routes.

Prior to Ethiopian Airlines, Hong Kong Air Cargo inaugurated flights in February 2025, the first Far East carrier at Prestwick, followed by Beijing Capital Airlines to Zhengzhou. These built on 15 weekly China flights, transforming the airport from a former passenger hub into a cargo specialist. Recognition via Logistics UK and Multimodal Awards validates this shift, driven by strategic location, capacity, and efficiency.

Prediction: Impact on Scottish Exporters and Logistics Firms

This development can provide Scottish exporters with more direct access to Hong Kong and connected Asian markets, reducing transit times for goods like salmon, whisky, and pharmaceuticals via Prestwick’s cold chain facilities. Logistics firms and e-commerce handlers may see increased volumes, supporting job retention and potential growth beyond the 250 direct roles already created. Regional supply chains could gain resilience through balanced inbound-outbound flows, aiding UK-wide trade valued at up to GBP 250 million annually.